OU Dracozolt [GP 2/2]

[TailGlowVM]

[OVERVIEW]

In sand, Dracozolt is one of the tier's most threatening wallbreakers thanks to its great Speed and signature move Bolt Beak, which doubles in power when Dracozolt moves first. It easily beats both offensive and defensive staples like Tornadus-T, Tapu Lele, Toxapex, and Corviknight. Whether it is by trapping and weakening Pokemon like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp with Fire Spin or simply running coverage, Dracozolt can overcome traditional checks to Electric-types. Unfortunately, Dracozolt is reliant on sand, as it is very slow and easy to offensively pressure outside it. It has mediocre bulk and can be worn down quickly by entry hazards, especially with Life Orb. Finally, Dracozolt is reliant on prediction to nail switch-ins to Bolt Beak and utilize limited sand turns, which sometimes makes it very underwhelming.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Fire Spin
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Fire Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Lonely
evs: 184 Atk / 140 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

Draco Meteor is a strong secondary STAB move to hit Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Nidoking. Substitute allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the switches it forces, easing prediction, and avoid status moves from Pokemon it can trap with Fire Spin, such as Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and Tangrowth's Sleep Powder. If Dracozolt has a Substitute up, it can still safely attack one time outside of sand. Fire Spin allows Dracozolt to trap passive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and especially Clefable, easing prediction, and wear down some of its checks that lack reliable recovery, like Landorus-T and Ferrothorn. 140 Special Attack EVs let Dracozolt beat defensive Landorus-T. To do this, it must hit Landorus-T on the switch with Draco Meteor, then switch out. Later in the match, the combination of Fire Spin and Draco Meteor will then be able to KO it. 184 Speed EVs allow Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand. The remaining EVs are pooled into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Lonely nature guarantees that Dracozolt survives Clefable's Moonblast from full health and 2HKOes specially defensive Tyranitar with Bolt Beak, and it doesn't weaken Draco Meteor. Leftovers is the preferred item to heal off Substitute damage and weaker attacks.

Dracozolt is used exclusively on sand cores. Consequently, Tyranitar or Hippowdon is a necessary teammate. Both of them can also set Stealth Rock for Dracozolt. Excadrill is also common on these sand cores; it can either sweep teams with Swords Dance once Dracozolt has weakened them or cripple shared checks like Tangrowth and Landorus-T with Toxic, making them even easier to trap and eliminate. Dracozolt's ability to trap Clefable and Ferrothorn is appreciated by Pokemon like Tornadus-T and Scizor, and they can give Dracozolt free turns against many of their checks like Corviknight by using U-turn. Skarmory can set Spikes, which is particularly useful for wearing down Dracozolt's checks like Hippowdon, Ferrothorn, and Melmetal as Dracozolt forces them in, and it also checks Excadrill. Dracozolt's poor bulk gives it few opportunities to switch in safely, making Teleport users like Slowbro and Slowking useful. Future Sight from either also stops many of Dracozolt's defensive checks, like Clefable and Landorus-T, from switching into it safely. Landorus-T and Corviknight are helpful teammates to check Pokemon like Excadrill for Dracozolt, and they draw in defensive Pokemon that it beats like Skarmory and bring it in safely with U-turn against them. Landorus-T also cripples Tangrowth and opposing Landorus-T with Toxic.


[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Naughty
evs: 148 Atk / 176 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

With Life Orb's damage boost, Dracozolt can effectively utilize coverage moves to hit Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Earthquake hits Excadrill and Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zeraora, and it OHKOes Heatran, which could otherwise survive a hit and do significant damage back with Earth Power. Fire Blast hits Grass-types like Ferrothorn and the rarer Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu. 184 Speed EVs and 176 Special Attack EVs allow Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand and OHKO SubRoost Kyurem with Draco Meteor. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Naughty nature instead of Lonely lets Dracozolt take priority moves from Pokemon like Rillaboom and Weavile slightly better.

Either Tyranitar or Hippowdon is required to set sand for Dracozolt. Both can check some offensive threats that Dracozolt struggles against, such as Kyurem behind a Substitute for the former and Sand Rush Excadrill for the latter. Garchomp is another Pokemon that fits on sand cores, and it appreciates Dracozolt wearing down their shared checks like Landorus-T, Clefable, and Tangrowth. Pivots like Dragapult, defensive Landorus-T, and Slowking can draw in Pokemon that Dracozolt can beat, like Mandibuzz, Corviknight, and Blissey, and bring it in safely with U-turn or Teleport to start wallbreaking. Slowking is particularly notable, as Future Sight is useful for pressuring Dracozolt's checks like Landorus-T and Clefable. Corviknight and Skarmory are consistent checks to the majority of Ground-types and Rillaboom, which often trouble sand teams. The former can also use its slow U-turn to bring Dracozolt in safely, while the latter sets Spikes to wear down its checks. Clefable can cripple faster Pokemon like Heatran with Thunder Wave, making Dracozolt not deadweight outside of sand, or support it with Aromatherapy.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Fire Blast can be used over Fire Spin on the Substitute set for more immediate damage against Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, and Melmetal. However, it requires a lot of prediction to be effective, and these Pokemon are still able to pivot around Dracozolt, making Fire Spin's ability to trap them preferred. Taunt can be used on the Life Orb set to force out passive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, but Dracozolt dislikes having to give up a coverage move for it, and it should spend its sand turns attacking. High Horsepower can replace Earthquake on teams with Rillaboom so Dracozolt is not weakened by Grassy Terrain.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert are some of the very few reliable checks to Dracozolt, tanking even Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteors and OHKOing back with Earthquake. However, Swampert is chipped down quite easily. Utility Excadrill is capable of walling Dracozolt if it does not carry Earthquake, while Sand Rush Excadrill outspeeds and revenge kills Dracozolt in sand. Defensive Landorus-T can switch into Dracozolt and force it out, but switching into Draco Meteor and Fire Spin wears it down over time. Other Ground-types like Garchomp and Nidoking can fall to Dracozolt's coverage moves, but they prevent it from freely using its strongest STAB move and revenge kill it outside of sand.

**Losing Sand**: Dracozolt is unable to accomplish much outside of sand due to its mediocre Speed, below almost every offensive Pokemon in the tier, so you can stall out its sand turns by switching around it or using Protect users like Heatran. However, Dracozolt can overcome these strategies if it predicts correctly. Pelipper, Torkoal, and Alolan Ninetales replace sand with their own weather as well, although they cannot directly switch into Dracozolt.

**Priority**: Priority moves like Weavile's Ice Shard, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Rillaboom's Grassy Glide can finish off Dracozolt even in sand if it is weakened, which is fairly likely thanks to Substitute damage or Life Orb recoil, though Dracozolt can get past them with a Substitute up. Substitute can particularly exploit Sucker Punch, and none of these Pokemon can directly switch into Dracozolt.

**Status**: Although Dracozolt theoretically possesses the typing to switch into some defensive Pokemon like Slowking, Toxapex, and Zapdos, it cannot do so safely, as they can cripple it with Scald burns or Toxic. Burns weaken it, and both leave Dracozolt worn down even more quickly than usual.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[TailGlowVM, 546123]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhisdn417, 526987], [curiosity, 443485]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [deetah, 297659]]

 

[TailGlowVM]

Right, this is ready for QC. I'll get Skarmory done later.

 

[Abhi]

Hey there
Comments in orange
Removals will be striked
Additions in green

QC check

[Overview]

• Under sand, Dracozolt is one of the tier's most threatening wallbreakers thanks to its great speed tier in sand and signature move Bolt Beak, which doubles in power when Dracozolt moves first. It is capable of outspeeding and OHKOing a number of common offensive Pokemon like Tapu Lele and Tornadus-T, and beating defensive staples of the tier like Corviknight, and Toxapex Mandibuzz, and Skarmory with ease. Mention its lack of reliable checks as well, also this area is a bit cluttered as well, mention less examples, 2 is enough in my opinion. You could also just merge the defensive staples point and offensive staples point into one point of tier staples to make the point more concise.
• Whether it is by trapping and weakening them with Fire Spin or simply by utilising additional coverage moves, Dracozolt can overcome traditional checks to Electric-types in the tier like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp.
• Unfortunately, Dracozolt is reliant on sand being up to achieve these offensive feats, as it is very slow and easy to offensively pressure outside it.
• Dracozolt's mediocre bulk can also result in it being worn down quickly, especially if it carries a Life Orb as well. Its mediocre bulk does not wear it down, it makes it unable to take hits well, mention that as well as entry hazards here.
• Finally, Dracozolt is reliant on prediction to use successfully, as it needs to hit most switchins to Bolt Beak on the switch with the correct coverage move in order to beat them. You could mention how this makes it rather underwhelming when used wrong.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Fire Spin
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Fire Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Lonely
evs: 184 Atk / 140 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

• Draco Meteor is used to hit Dragon-types like Dragapult, Garchomp, and Hydreigon that resist Bolt Beak, as well as being Dracozolt's best move against Ground-types like Landorus-T. Only Garchomp out of these three can switch into Dracozolt, Bolt Beak 2HKOs the other two, probably just mention Ground-types like Landorus-T and Garchomp, you could mention it being a strong STAB too, that's probably unnecessary though.
• Substitute allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the switches it forces, easing prediction, and avoid status moves from Pokemon it can trap with Fire Spin, such as Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and Tangrowth's Sleep Powder. Mention how it can give it a free turn to get off a hit, even outside of sand.
• Fire Spin allows Dracozolt to trap in passive Pokemon that are unable to harm it like Ferrothorn, easing prediction, and also wears down some of Dracozolt's checks that lack reliable recovery like Landorus-T and Swampert. You could mention Ferrothorn over Swampert especially since Ferrothorn actually gets trapped and Swampert can easily Flip Turn out.
• In order to beat defensive Landorus-T, 140 Special Attack EVs guarantee that the combination of using Draco Meteor as it switches in, followed by using Fire Spin when it switches in again later in the game into Draco Meteor KOes it, and 184 Speed EVs allow Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand. (Note to QC: This is the spread I was told to use on Discord. I think it's quite complicated and confusing to read but the people that agreed on this probably know better than me) Ok yea this is a bit confusing, like very confusing, you could rephrase this as " These EVs let Dracozolt overcome Landorus-T with the combination of x and y over the course of a game" or smth like that.
• The remaining EVs are pooled into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output.
• A Lonely Nature is used to guarantee that Dracozolt survives Clefable's Moonblast from full health. Mention that it's a defence lowering nature instead; just saying lonely doesnt explain why it plays a part in it surviving a hit from Clefable. You could say "due to its mixed nature it needs to run a defence lowering nature, it runs a physical defense lowering nature to surving bla bla"
• Leftovers are the preferred item to heal off Substitute damage and weaker attacks.

• Dracozolt is used exclusively on sand cores. Consequently, one of the two viable sand setters, Tyranitar or Hippowdon, is a necessary teammate. Both of them can also set Stealth Rock for Dracozolt.
• Excadrill is commonly used on these sand cores. It can either sweep teams with Swords Dance once Dracozolt has weakened them, or cripple shared checks like Tangrowth and Landorus-T with Toxic, making them even easier to trap in and eliminate. Dracozolt is particularly good at pressuring several of Excadrill's checks like Corviknight, Mandibuzz and Skarmory.
• Skarmory can set Spikes, which are particularly good at wearing down Pokemon as Dracozolt forces many switches. You can mention that it can check opposing Excadrill for Dracozolt.
• Dracozolt's poor bulk gives it few opportunities to switch in safely, making Teleport users like Slowbro or Slowking good teammates to bring it in unharmed.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Naughty
evs: 148 Atk / 176 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

• With the boost in power damage granted by a Life Orb, Dracozolt can effectively utilise coverage moves to hit Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Coverage moves like what?
• Earthquake hits Excadrill and Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zeraora, and OHKOes Heatran, which would otherwise be able to survive a hit and do significant damage back with Earth Power.
• Fire Blast gives Dracozolt coverage for Grass-types like Ferrothorn and the rarer Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu.
• Dracozolt's EVs allow it to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand, and OHKO SubRoost Kyurem with a Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack.
• A Naughty nature is used to take priority moves from Pokemon like Rillaboom and Weavile slightly better.

• Either Tyranitar or Hippowdon is required to set sand for Dracozolt. Both can check some offensive threats that Dracozolt struggles against, such as Kyurem behind a Substitute for the former and Sand Rush Excadrill for the latter.
• Garchomp is another Pokemon that can be used on sand cores that appreciates Dracozolt beating Skarmory, Corviknight, and Tangrowth.
• Dragapult can provide a form of speed control outside of sand and is capable of drawing in Pokemon Dracozolt can beat, like Mandibuzz and Blissey, and bringing in Dracozolt with U-turn to start breaking.
• Mandibuzz, Corviknight and Skarmory are consistent checks to the majority of Ground-types and Rillaboom, which often trouble sand teams. Mandibuzz cant reliably check most grounds since they have ways to beat it; Hippowdon can Toxic it, and pokemon like LandorusT and Garchomp can Stone Edge it. Also mention how Skamory can set Spikes for it and Corviknight can use its ability to pivot slowly to bring in Dracozolt.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Dracozolt has no other viable options, as either the combination of Substitute and Fire Spin or Earthquake and Fire Blast is necessary in order to beat as many Electric-resistant and Electric-immune Pokemon as possible.
Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert are some of the very few reliable checks to Dracozolt, surviving even Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor and OHKOing back with Earthquake. Utility Excadrill is capable of walling Dracozolt if it does not carry Earthquake, while Sand Rush Excadrill outspeeds and revenge kills Dracozolt inside sand. Other Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Nidoking can be beaten with Dracozolt's coverage moves, but prevent it from freely using its strongest STAB move.

**Removing Sand**: Dracozolt is unable to accomplish much outside of sand due to its mediocre unboosted speed, which can be exploited as sand turns can be stalled out by outpredicting Dracozolt's moves, or by Protect users like Heatran. Mention Regenerator cores with Tamgrowth and a Slowking to stall out turns to prevent Dracozolt from making any real progress, also mention how this can be dismantled with correct predictions.

**Priority**: Priority moves like Rillaboom's Grassy Glide, Weavile's Ice Shard, and Bisharp's Sucker Punch can finish off Dracozolt even inside sand if it is weakened, which is fairly easy to do through Substitute damage or Life Orb recoil, though the latter can be exploited with Substitute if correctly predicted, and none of these Pokemon can directly switch into Dracozolt. Mention how Dracozolt can get around this if it has a Substitute up.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[TailGlowVM, 546123]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhisdn417, 526987], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

QC 1/2

 

[TailGlowVM]

Thanks for the check, I implemented it, so this is QC 1/2.

 

[curiosity]

Hide

[Overview]

Under sand, Dracozolt is one of the tier's most threatening wallbreakers thanks to its great speed tier in sand and signature move Bolt Beak, which doubles in power when Dracozolt moves first. It is capable of easily beating both offensive and defensive staples of the tier like Tornadus-T, Tapu Lele, Toxapex, and Corviknight. Whether it is by trapping and weakening them with Fire Spin or simply by utilising additional coverage moves, Dracozolt can overcome traditional checks to Electric-types in the tier like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp. Unfortunately, Dracozolt is reliant on sand being up to achieve these offensive feats, as it is very slow and easy to offensively pressure outside it. Dracozolt's mediocre bulk means it cannot take hits well, and it can be worn down quickly by entry hazards. This is especially problematic if it carries a Life Orb as well to wear it down further. Finally, Dracozolt is reliant on prediction to use successfully, as it needs to hit most switchins to Bolt Beak on the switch with the correct coverage move in order to beat them, and it can be very underwhelming if used incorrectly as it may be unable to inflict significant damage before sand turns are stalled out.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Fire Spin
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Fire Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Lonely
evs: 184 Atk / 140 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

Draco Meteor is a strong secondary STAB that is used to hit Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Nidoking. Substitute allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the switches it forces, easing prediction, and avoid status moves from Pokemon it can trap with Fire Spin, such as Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and Tangrowth's Sleep Powder. If Dracozolt has a Substitute up, it can still safely attack one time outside of sand. Fire Spin allows Dracozolt to trap in passive Pokemon that are unable to harm it like Ferrothorn, easing prediction, and the chip damage also wears down some of Dracozolt's checks that lack reliable recovery, like Landorus-T and Ferrothorn. I'd like to see some mention of trapping Clef in particular somewhere since that's probably one of the most important spin targets In order to beat defensive Landorus-T, 140 Special Attack EVs guarantee that two Draco Meteors combined with the damage from Fire Spin KO it, although Dracozolt is forced out after using the first Draco Meteor, this point feels pretty weird solely because it's in the one sentence; separate these two points. and 184 Speed EVs allow Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand. The remaining EVs are pooled into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Lonely Nature is used to guarantee that Dracozolt survives Clefable's Moonblast from full health and 2HKOes specially defensive Tyranitar with Bolt Beak, while not decreasing Draco Meteor's damage output. Leftovers are the preferred item to heal off Substitute damage and weaker attacks.

Dracozolt is used exclusively on sand cores. Consequently, one of the two viable sand setters, Tyranitar or Hippowdon, is a necessary teammate. Both of them can also set Stealth Rock for Dracozolt. Excadrill is also commonly used on these sand cores. It can either sweep teams with Swords Dance once Dracozolt has weakened them, or cripple shared checks like Tangrowth and Landorus-T with Toxic, making them even easier to trap in and eliminate. I'd like to see some mentions of some different partners; mention some more offensive partners like u-turn scizor, chomp, torn-t etc. which either benefit from it weakening / trapping stuff like clef ferro etc. or give it free turns vs a lot of its checks.Dracozolt is particularly good at pressuring several of Excadrill's checks like Corviknight, Mandibuzz and Skarmory. I don't necessarily think this point is needed when it's rarely putting them into range of anything from drill. Skarmory can set Spikes, which are particularly good at wearing down Pokemon as Dracozolt forces many switches. specify what you're targeting with spikes; i'd like to see hippo, ferro and melm explicitely mentioned here. It also checks Excadrill for Dracozolt. Dracozolt's poor bulk gives it few opportunities to switch in safely, making Teleport users like Slowbro or Slowking good teammates to bring it in unharmed. expand on this; i want to know how future sight interracts with a lot of its defensive checks like clef lando etc. speaking of:

I want to see a few mentions of some more defensive partners here; talk about mons like lando and corvi in particular and describe how a. landocan cripple certain checks (eg. lando clicking toxic vs opposing defensive lando) b. how these two mons can draw out dracozolt food and give it free turns, and c. how they synergise defensively. You could also talk about how clef can provide stuff like aroma or twave support to cripple a few of its checks, or even benefit from it removing some of its checks.

[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Naughty
evs: 148 Atk / 176 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

With the boost in damage granted by a Life Orb, Dracozolt can effectively utilise coverage moves to hit Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Earthquake hits Excadrill and Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zeraora, and OHKOes Heatran, which would otherwise be able to survive a hit and do significant damage back to Dracozolt with Earth Power. Fire Blast gives Dracozolt coverage for Grass-types like Ferrothorn and the rarer Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu. Dracozolt's EVs allow it to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand, and OHKO SubRoost Kyurem with a Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack. A Naughty nature is used to take priority moves from Pokemon like Rillaboom and Weavile slightly better.

Either Tyranitar or Hippowdon is required to set sand for Dracozolt. Both can check some offensive threats that Dracozolt struggles against, such as Kyurem behind a Substitute for the former and Sand Rush Excadrill for the latter. Garchomp is another Pokemon that can be used on sand cores that appreciates Dracozolt beating Skarmory, Corviknight, and Tangrowth. I'd rather you focus on the fact that they grind down on shared checks in lando tangrowth clef etc. Dragapult can provide a form of speed control outside of sand and is capable of drawing in Pokemon Dracozolt can beat, like Mandibuzz and Blissey, and bringing in Dracozolt with U-turn to start breaking. I want you to add a mentions of a few other mons that can do this; i mentioned scizor earlier, but i'd like to see you add mentions of stuff like defensive lando, rillaboom slowtwins etc. that do the same thing. Some more emphasis on future sight would be nice too. Corviknight and Skarmory are consistent checks to the majority of Ground-types and Rillaboom, which often trouble sand teams. The former can use its slow U-turn to bring Dracozolt in safely, while the latter sets Spikes.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Dracozolt has no other viable options, as either the combination of Substitute and Fire Spin or Earthquake and Fire Blast is necessary in order to beat as many Electric-resistant and Electric-immune Pokemon as possible.

add mentions of fire blast on the sub variant; mention how it puts immediate pressure on stuff like ferro, drill, melm, etc. but requires a lot of prediction for it to be effective; mention how these mons can still afford to pivot around it, which is why spin is preferred. Taunt is another thing you can afford to mention on the LO set, but describe the opportunity cost of running it. hh on the lo set would be nice too; specify that you're only using it with rilla tho.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert are some of the very few reliable checks to Dracozolt, surviving even Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor and OHKOing back with Earthquake. mention the fact that pert is chipped pretty easily Utility Excadrill is capable of walling Dracozolt if it does not carry Earthquake, while Sand Rush Excadrill outspeeds and revenge kills Dracozolt inside sand. could be phrased a little better but that's w/e Other Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Nidoking can be beaten with Dracozolt's coverage moves, but prevent it from freely using its strongest STAB move. separate the chomp and nidoking mentions; they don't necessarily fit the point you're making here. Mention that landorus can pivot into pult and threatens it out with an ohko; talk about how it's chipped tho.
as for chomp and nidoking, mention that they're only really revenging it outside of sand.

**Removing Sand**: Dracozolt is unable to accomplish much outside of sand due to its mediocre unboosted speed, which can be exploited as sand turns can be stalled out by outpredicting Dracozolt's moves, or by Protect users like Heatran. Regenerator cores with Pokemon like Tangrowth and Slowking are able to quickly heal off the damage from most of Dracozolt's attacks and stall out sand. However, Dracozolt can overcome these strategies if it predicts correctly around them. This stuff on regen is kinda unnecessary here since they can do it regardless of the weather; mention how it's fairly slow outside of sand instead.

**Priority**: Priority moves like Rillaboom's Grassy Glide, Weavile's Ice Shard, and Bisharp's Sucker Punch can finish off Dracozolt even inside sand if it is weakened, which is fairly easy to do through Substitute damage or Life Orb recoil, though Dracozolt can get around them with a Substitute up. The latter, in particular, can be exploited with Substitute if correctly predicted, and none of these Pokemon can directly switch into Dracozolt. Glide shouldn't be the first mention since it's taking it relatively well

add a point on how status weak it is and how that translates to not being able to switch into the stuff like pex slowking etc.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[TailGlowVM, 546123]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhisdn417, 526987], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]

Good work, QC 2/2

 

[Adeleine]

Add/Fix Remove Comment
(AC)/(RC): Add/Remove Comma

Hide

[Overview]

Under In sand, Dracozolt is one of the tier's most threatening wallbreakers thanks to its great speed tier in sand Speed and signature move Bolt Beak, which doubles in power when Dracozolt moves first. It is capable of easily beating easily beats both offensive and defensive staples of the tier like Tornadus-T, Tapu Lele, Toxapex, and Corviknight. Whether it is by trapping and weakening them Pokemon like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp with Fire Spin or simply by utilising additional coverage moves running coverage, Dracozolt can overcome traditional checks to Electric-types in the tier like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp. Unfortunately, Dracozolt is reliant on sand being up to achieve these offensive feats, as it is very slow and easy to offensively pressure outside it. Dracozolt's mediocre bulk means it cannot take hits well, and it It has mediocre bulk and can be worn down quickly by entry hazards, (period -> comma) This is especially problematic if it carries a Life Orb as well to wear it down further. especially with Life Orb. Finally, Dracozolt is reliant on prediction to use successfully, as it needs to hit most switchins to Bolt Beak on the switch with the correct coverage move in order to beat them, and it can be very underwhelming if used incorrectly as it may be unable to inflict significant damage before sand turns run out. nail switch-ins to Bolt Beak and utilize limited sand turns, which sometimes makes it very underwhelming. (assuming this still makes sense)

[SET]
name: Substitute + Fire Spin
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Fire Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Lonely
evs: 184 Atk / 140 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

Draco Meteor is a strong secondary STAB that is used move to hit Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Nidoking. Substitute allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the switches it forces, easing prediction, and avoid status moves from Pokemon it can trap with Fire Spin, such as Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and Tangrowth's Sleep Powder. If Dracozolt has a Substitute up, it can still safely attack one time outside of sand. Fire Spin allows Dracozolt to trap in passive Pokemon that are unable to harm it passive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and especially Clefable, easing prediction, and the chip damage also wears wear down some of Dracozolt's its checks that lack reliable recovery, like Landorus-T and Ferrothorn. In order to beat defensive Landorus-T, 140 Special Attack EVs guarantee that two Draco Meteors combined with the damage from Fire Spin KO it, although Dracozolt is forced out by Landorus-T after using the first Draco Meteor. (i'm a bit confused here. you first say it can to beat defensive lando but then say lando forces you out. also, how would it force you out even after draco if you were behind sub / you caught it on the switch and sand is still up?)184 Speed EVs allow Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand. The remaining EVs are pooled into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Lonely Nature is used to guarantee nature guarantees that Dracozolt survives Clefable's Moonblast from full health and 2HKOes specially defensive Tyranitar with Bolt Beak, while not decreasing Draco Meteor's damage output. Leftovers are and it doesn't weaken Draco Meteor. Leftovers is the preferred item to heal off Substitute damage and weaker attacks.

Dracozolt is used exclusively on sand cores. Consequently, one of the two viable sand setters, Tyranitar or Hippowdon (RC) is a necessary teammate. Both of them can also set Stealth Rock for Dracozolt. Excadrill is also commonly used on these sand cores. It can either sweep teams with Swords Dance once Dracozolt has weakened them (RC) or cripple shared checks like Tangrowth and Landorus-T with Toxic, making them even easier to trap in and eliminate. Dracozolt's ability to trap Clefable and Ferrothorn is appreciated by Pokemon like Garchomp, Tornadus-T, and Scizor, and they can give Dracozolt free turns against many of its checks like Corviknight. (give free turns? with U-turn? if u-turn, not garchomp! if smth else, pls clarify.) Skarmory can set Spikes, which are is particularly good at wearing down Dracozolt's checks like Hippowdon, Ferrothorn, and Melmetal (RC) as Dracozolt forces many switches, and it also checks Excadrill for Dracozolt them in, and it also checks Excadrill. Dracozolt's poor bulk gives it few opportunities to switch in safely, making Teleport users like Slowbro or Slowking good teammates to bring it in unharmed useful. Future Sight from Slowbro and Slowking is also useful to pressure either also stops many of Dracozolt's defensive checks, (AC) like Clefable and Landorus-T, as combined with its damage they can no longer switch into Dracozolt from switching into it safely. Landorus-T and Corviknight are good teammates as they can to check Pokemon like Excadrill for it, Dracozolt, and they draw in defensive Pokemon that Dracozolt it beats like Skarmory and to bring it in safely with U-turn against them. (comma -> period) and Landorus-T also cripples Tangrowth and opposing Landorus-T with Toxic.


[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Naughty
evs: 148 Atk / 176 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

With the boost in damage granted by a Life Orb Life Orb's damage boost, Dracozolt can effectively utilize coverage moves to hit Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Earthquake hits Excadrill and Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zeraora, and it OHKOes Heatran, which would otherwise be able to could otherwise survive a hit and do significant damage back to Dracozolt with Earth Power. Fire Blast gives Dracozolt coverage for hits Grass-types like Ferrothorn and the rarer Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu. Dracozolt's EVs allow it to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand (RC) and OHKO SubRoost Kyurem with a Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Naughty nature is used to instead of Lonely lets Dracozolt (I assume "instead of Lonely" is the deal?) take priority moves from Pokemon like Rillaboom and Weavile slightly better.

Either Tyranitar or Hippowdon is required to set sand for Dracozolt. Both can check some offensive threats that Dracozolt struggles against, such as Kyurem behind a Substitute for the former and Sand Rush Excadrill for the latter. Garchomp is another Pokemon that can be used fits on sand cores, (AC) that and it appreciates Dracozolt wearing down their shared checks like Landorus-T, Clefable, and Tangrowth. Pivots like Dragapult, defensive Landorus-T, and Slowking can draw in Pokemon Dracozolt can beat, like Mandibuzz, Corviknight, and Blissey, and bring it in Dracozolt safely with U-turn or Teleport to start wallbreaking. Slowking is particularly notable, (AC) as Future Sight is useful for pressuring Dracozolt's checks like Landorus-T and Clefable. Corviknight and Skarmory are consistent checks to the majority of Ground-types and Rillaboom, which often trouble sand teams. The former can also use its slow U-turn to bring Dracozolt in safely, while the latter sets Spikes to wear down its checks. Clefable can cripple faster Pokemon like Heatran with Thunder Wave, (AC) so that Dracozolt is making Dracozolt not deadweight outside of sand, or use Aromatherapy to remove the status conditions that cripple Dracozolt. support it with Aromatherapy.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Fire Blast can be used over Fire Spin on the Substitute set for more immediate damage against Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, and Melmetal. However, it requires a lot of prediction to be effective, and these Pokemon are still able to pivot around Dracozolt, making Fire Spin's ability to trap them preferred. Taunt can be used on the Life Orb set to force out passive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Blissey, but Dracozolt dislikes having to give up a coverage move for it, (AC) and it should spend its sand turns attacking. (gut feeling is this is reasonable. worth mentioning? up 2 u) High Horsepower can replace Earthquake on teams with Rillaboom (RC) as unlike Earthquake it so Dracozolt is not weakened by Grassy Terrain.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert are some of the very few reliable checks to Dracozolt, tanking even Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor and OHKOing back with Earthquake. However, Swampert is chipped down quite easily. Utility Excadrill is capable of walling Dracozolt if it does not carry Earthquake, while Sand Rush Excadrill outspeeds and revenge kills Dracozolt inside sand. Defensive Landorus-T can switch into Dracozolt and force it out, (AC) but switching into Draco Meteor and Fire Spin wears it down over time. Other Ground-types like Garchomp and Nidoking can be beaten with fall to Dracozolt's coverage moves, but they prevent it from freely using its strongest STAB move and revenge kill Dracozolt it outside of sand.

**Removing Losing Sand**: Dracozolt is unable to accomplish much outside of sand due to its mediocre unboosted Speed, below almost every offensive Pokemon in the tier, and Dracozolt's reliance on sand can be exploited as sand turns can be stalled out by outpredicting Dracozolt's moves, or by so you can stall out its sand turns by switching around it or using (I imagine "switching around it" is what youd do to stall sand/outpredict that isn't using protect? correct me if smth needs change, though) Protect users like Heatran. However, Dracozolt can overcome these strategies if it predicts correctly around them. (you say "removing"... worth mentioning any mons that actively remove sand with weather abilities? up to u)

**Priority**: Priority moves like Weavile's Ice Shard, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Rillaboom's Grassy Glide can finish off Dracozolt even inside sand if it is weakened, which is fairly easy to do through likely thanks to Substitute damage or Life Orb recoil, though Dracozolt can get around past them with a Substitute up. Sucker Punch, in particular, can be exploited with Substitute if correctly predicted Substitute can particularly exploit Sucker Punch, and none of these Pokemon can directly switch into Dracozolt.

**Status**: Although Dracozolt theoretically possesses the resistances typing (u dont resist slowking or pex moves, so i imagine this makes sense?) to switch into some defensive Pokemon like Slowking, Toxapex, and Zapdos, it cannot do so safely, (AC) as they can cripple it with Scald burns or Toxic. If it gets hit by these status conditions it is worn down even more quickly than usual, and burns limit its damage output. Burns weaken it, and both leave Dracozolt worn down even more quickly than usual.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[TailGlowVM, 546123]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhisdn417, 526987], [curiosity, 443485]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]

i'll stamp after you address the lando comment and the free turns comment

 

[TailGlowVM]

Right then, Finland, I have updated it. Is this better?

 

[Adeleine]

Hide

[SET COMMENTS]

Draco Meteor is a strong secondary STAB move to hit Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Nidoking. Substitute allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the switches it forces, easing prediction, and avoid status moves from Pokemon it can trap with Fire Spin, such as Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and Tangrowth's Sleep Powder. If Dracozolt has a Substitute up, it can still safely attack one time outside of sand. Fire Spin allows Dracozolt to trap passive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and especially Clefable, easing prediction, and wear down some of its checks that lack reliable recovery, like Landorus-T and Ferrothorn. 140 Special Attack EVs guarantee that Dracozolt can let Dracozolt beat defensive Landorus-T. To do this, it must hit Landorus-T on the switch with Draco Meteor, then switch out. Later in the match, the combination of Fire Spin and Draco Meteor will then be able to KO it. 184 Speed EVs allow Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand. The remaining EVs are pooled into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Lonely nature guarantees that Dracozolt survives Clefable's Moonblast from full health and 2HKOes specially defensive Tyranitar with Bolt Beak, and it doesn't weaken Draco Meteor. Leftovers is the preferred item to heal off Substitute damage and weaker attacks.

Dracozolt is used exclusively on sand cores. Consequently, Tyranitar or Hippowdon is a necessary teammate. Both of them can also set Stealth Rock for Dracozolt. Excadrill is also commonly used on these sand cores; (period -> semicolon) it can either sweep teams with Swords Dance once Dracozolt has weakened them or cripple shared checks like Tangrowth and Landorus-T with Toxic, making them even easier to trap and eliminate. Dracozolt's ability to trap Clefable and Ferrothorn is appreciated by Pokemon like (RC) Tornadus-T (RC) and Scizor, and they can give Dracozolt free turns against many of their checks like Corviknight by using U-turn. Skarmory can set Spikes, which is particularly good at wearing down Dracozolt's checks like Hippowdon, Ferrothorn, and Melmetal as Dracozolt forces them in, and it also checks Excadrill. Dracozolt's poor bulk gives it few opportunities to switch in safely, making Teleport users like Slowbro or Slowking useful. Future Sight from either also stops many of Dracozolt's defensive checks, like Clefable and Landorus-T, from switching into it safely. Landorus-T and Corviknight are good to check Pokemon like Excadrill for Dracozolt, and they draw in defensive Pokemon that it beats like Skarmory to bring it in safely with U-turn against them. Landorus-T also cripples Tangrowth and opposing Landorus-T with Toxic.

1/2 once above implemented

 

[deetah]

Add Remove Comments

GP 2/2

Dracozolt

[Overview] [OVERVIEW]

In sand, Dracozolt is one of the tier's most threatening wallbreakers thanks to its great Speed and signature move Bolt Beak, which doubles in power when Dracozolt moves first. It easily beats both offensive and defensive staples like Tornadus-T, Tapu Lele, Toxapex, and Corviknight. Whether it is by trapping and weakening Pokemon like Landorus-T, Ferrothorn, and Garchomp with Fire Spin or simply running coverage, Dracozolt can overcome traditional checks to Electric-types. Unfortunately, Dracozolt is reliant on sand, as it is very slow and easy to offensively pressure outside it. It has mediocre bulk and can be worn down quickly by entry hazards, especially with Life Orb. Finally, Dracozolt is reliant on prediction to nail switch-ins to Bolt Beak and utilize limited sand turns, which sometimes makes it very underwhelming.

[SET]
name: Substitute + Fire Spin
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Substitute
move 4: Fire Spin
item: Leftovers
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Lonely
evs: 184 Atk / 140 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

Draco Meteor is a strong secondary STAB move to hit Ground-types like Landorus-T, Garchomp, and Nidoking. Substitute allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the switches it forces, easing prediction, and avoid status moves from Pokemon it can trap with Fire Spin, such as Ferrothorn's Leech Seed and Tangrowth's Sleep Powder. If Dracozolt has a Substitute up, it can still safely attack one time outside of sand. Fire Spin allows Dracozolt to trap passive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and especially Clefable, easing prediction, and wear down some of its checks that lack reliable recovery, like Landorus-T and Ferrothorn. 140 Special Attack EVs let Dracozolt can beat defensive Landorus-T. To do this, it must hit Landorus-T on the switch with Draco Meteor, then switch out. Later in the match, the combination of Fire Spin and Draco Meteor will then be able to KO it. 184 Speed EVs allow Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand. The remaining EVs are pooled into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Lonely nature guarantees that Dracozolt survives Clefable's Moonblast from full health and 2HKOes specially defensive Tyranitar with Bolt Beak, and it doesn't weaken Draco Meteor. Leftovers is the preferred item to heal off Substitute damage and weaker attacks.

Dracozolt is used exclusively on sand cores. Consequently, Tyranitar or Hippowdon is a necessary teammate. Both of them can also set Stealth Rock for Dracozolt. Excadrill is also common on these sand cores; it can either sweep teams with Swords Dance once Dracozolt has weakened them or cripple shared checks like Tangrowth and Landorus-T with Toxic, making them even easier to trap and eliminate. Dracozolt's ability to trap Clefable and Ferrothorn is appreciated by Pokemon like Tornadus-T and Scizor, and they can give Dracozolt free turns against many of their checks like Corviknight by using U-turn. Skarmory can set Spikes, which is particularly good at useful for wearing down Dracozolt's checks like Hippowdon, Ferrothorn, and Melmetal as Dracozolt forces them in, and it also checks Excadrill. Dracozolt's poor bulk gives it few opportunities to switch in safely, making Teleport users like Slowbro or and Slowking useful. Future Sight from either also stops many of Dracozolt's defensive checks, like Clefable and Landorus-T, from switching into it safely. Landorus-T and Corviknight are good helpful teammates to check Pokemon like Excadrill for Dracozolt, and they draw in defensive Pokemon that it beats like Skarmory to and bring it in safely with U-turn against them. Landorus-T also cripples Tangrowth and opposing Landorus-T with Toxic.


[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Fire Blast
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Naughty
evs: 148 Atk / 176 SpA / 184 Spe


[SET COMMENTS]

With Life Orb's damage boost, Dracozolt can effectively utilize coverage moves to hit Pokemon that resist its STAB moves. Earthquake hits Excadrill and Electric-types like Tapu Koko and Zeraora, and it OHKOes Heatran, which could otherwise survive a hit and do significant damage back with Earth Power. Fire Blast hits Grass-types like Ferrothorn and the rarer Tangrowth and Tapu Bulu. Dracozolt's EVs 184 Speed EVs and 176 Special Attack EVs (Since you talk about the EVs in two sentences, I made it more specific) allow it Dracozolt to outspeed Choice Scarf Landorus-T in sand (RC) and OHKO SubRoost Kyurem with Draco Meteor. The remaining EVs are placed into Attack to increase Bolt Beak's damage output. A Naughty nature instead of Lonely lets Dracozolt take priority moves from Pokemon like Rillaboom and Weavile slightly better.

Either Tyranitar or Hippowdon is required to set sand for Dracozolt. Both can check some offensive threats that Dracozolt struggles against, such as Kyurem behind a Substitute for the former and Sand Rush Excadrill for the latter. Garchomp is another Pokemon that fits on sand cores, and it appreciates Dracozolt wearing down their shared checks like Landorus-T, Clefable, and Tangrowth. Pivots like Dragapult, defensive Landorus-T, and Slowking can draw in Pokemon that Dracozolt can beat, like Mandibuzz, Corviknight, and Blissey, and bring it in safely with U-turn or Teleport to start wallbreaking. Slowking is particularly notable, as Future Sight is useful for pressuring Dracozolt's checks like Landorus-T and Clefable. Corviknight and Skarmory are consistent checks to the majority of Ground-types and Rillaboom, which often trouble sand teams. The former can also use its slow U-turn to bring Dracozolt in safely, while the latter sets Spikes to wear down its checks. Clefable can cripple faster Pokemon like Heatran with Thunder Wave, making Dracozolt not deadweight outside of sand, or support it with Aromatherapy.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====

Fire Blast can be used over Fire Spin on the Substitute set for more immediate damage against Pokemon like Ferrothorn, Excadrill, and Melmetal. However, it requires a lot of prediction to be effective, and these Pokemon are still able to pivot around Dracozolt, making Fire Spin's ability to trap them preferred. Taunt can be used on the Life Orb set to force out passive Pokemon like Ferrothorn, but Dracozolt dislikes having to give up a coverage move for it, and it should spend its sand turns attacking. High Horsepower can replace Earthquake on teams with Rillaboom so Dracozolt is not weakened by Grassy Terrain.

Checks and Counters
====

**Ground-types**: Specially defensive Ground-types like Hippowdon and Swampert are some of the very few reliable checks to Dracozolt, tanking even Life Orb-boosted Draco Meteor Meteors and OHKOing back with Earthquake. However, Swampert is chipped down quite easily. Utility Excadrill is capable of walling Dracozolt if it does not carry Earthquake, while Sand Rush Excadrill outspeeds and revenge kills Dracozolt in sand. Defensive Landorus-T can switch into Dracozolt and force it out, but switching into Draco Meteor and Fire Spin wears it down over time. Other Ground-types like Garchomp and Nidoking can fall to Dracozolt's coverage moves, but they prevent it from freely using its strongest STAB move and revenge kill it outside of sand.

**Losing Sand**: Dracozolt is unable to accomplish much outside of sand due to its mediocre Speed, below almost every offensive Pokemon in the tier, so you can stall out its sand turns by switching around it or using Protect users like Heatran. However, Dracozolt can overcome these strategies if it predicts correctly. Pelipper, Torkoal, and Alolan Ninetales replace sand with their own weather as well, although they cannot directly switch into Dracozolt.

**Priority**: Priority moves like Weavile's Ice Shard, Bisharp's Sucker Punch, and Rillaboom's Grassy Glide can finish off Dracozolt even in sand if it is weakened, which is fairly likely thanks to Substitute damage or Life Orb recoil, though Dracozolt can get past them with a Substitute up. Substitute can particularly exploit Sucker Punch, and none of these Pokemon can directly switch into Dracozolt.

**Status**: Although Dracozolt theoretically possesses the typing to switch into some defensive Pokemon like Slowking, Toxapex, and Zapdos, it cannot do so safely, as they can cripple it with Scald burns or Toxic. Burns weaken it, and both leave Dracozolt worn down even more quickly than usual.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[TailGlowVM, 546123]]
- Quality checked by: [[Abhisdn417, 526987], [curiosity, 443485]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]

 

[ausma]

https://www.smogon.com/dex/ss/pokemon/dracozolt/ up