[Overview]
Dragalge is both a great support Pokemon and a potent wallbreaker in NU. Its defensive typing lets it easily switch into foes like Vileplume, Arcanine, and Rotom-C, generating free turns for it to throw off powerful Draco Meteors or simply pivot with Flip Turn. Furthermore, because Dragalge is so great at drawing in Steel-types, it has fantastic synergy with common wallbreakers like Sirfetch'd and Machamp that love free opportunities to switch in against such foes. Despite being a task to defensively answer, though, Dragalge is left vulnerable to faster foes like Flygon, Tyrantrum, and Starmie due to its poor Speed. Additionally, its reliance on Black Sludge for recovery and subpar physical bulk make it a poor answer to Fighting-types like Mienshao and Sirfetch'd despite its resistance to Close Combat.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Flip Turn
move 4: Scald / Focus Blast
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Sludge
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 124 SpA / 132 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Flip Turn lets Dragalge keep up momentum against Steel-types that switch into it. Scald threatens Steel-types such as Copperajah, Bronzong, and Escavalier with a burn, but Focus Blast is a workable alternative that nets more immediate damage onto Copperajah. Heavy-Duty Boots lets Dragalge pivot more freely without worry of repeated entry hazard damage. Alternatively, Black Sludge helps Dragalge repeatedly switch into weak, resisted attacks from the likes of Vileplume and Talonflame, although the immunity to hazard damage is usually preferred. The listed Speed EVs allow Dragalge to outspeed uninvested Sylveon.
Since Dragalge commonly draws in Steel-types like Copperajah and Bronzong, it pairs great with Fighting-types like Sirfetch'd, Machamp, and Mienshao that appreciate being brought in against such foes via Flip Turn. In a similar vein, Dragalge's strong Draco Meteor can force significant damage onto Steel-types over the course of a battle; teammates like Calm Mind Cresselia and Nasty Plot Celebi benefit from this. Dragalge is very prone to losing its item via Vileplume's Corrosive Gas and Golisopod's Knock Off, so Wish Sylveon makes up for that loss in longevity. Rotom-C is very problematic for Water-types like Gastrodon; Dragalge can easily wall it and is a solid Trick deterrent when running Black Sludge. Offensive Ground-types can easily KO Dragalge, so teammates like Rotom-C and Decidueye are ideal. Sylveon complements Dragalge well, forming a good defensive core capable of taking on Fighting-types. Similarly, Steel-types like Bronzong, Copperajah, and Escavalier are good defensive teammates; the former covers all of Dragalge's weaknesses, while the latter two threaten opposing Psychic- and Steel-types. In return, Dragalge checks Fire-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Toxic Spikes can be used instead of a fourth attacking move to punish teams lacking a grounded Poison-type. Choice Specs sets pack immense power but lack the longevity a typical utility set provides. Protect in tandem with Black Sludge bolsters Dragalge's passive recovery and helps it scout faster Choice item users like Flygon, Golurk, and Tyrantrum. RestTalk sets worry less about losing their item to Vileplume's Corrosive Gas, greatly boosting Dragalge's longevity at the cost of team utility.
Checks and Counters
====
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Copperajah, Bronzong, and Escavalier are the most consistent defensive answers to Dragalge, and they aren't even affected by Toxic Spikes. However, they must be mindful of their HP because they lack reliable recovery, and they easily cede momentum to Dragalge if it uses Flip Turn as they switch in.
**Special Walls**: Mantine is capable of stomaching a Draco Meteor and recovering off the damage with Roost, while Cresselia can set up in Dragalge's face and heal with Moonlight. However, they're heavily pressured to use their recovery moves after stomaching a Draco Meteor.
**Psychic-types**: Starmie, Indeedee-F, and Celebi are all faster than Dragalge and can easily revenge kill it with their STAB Psychic-type attacks. Furthermore, Galarian Articuno can set up against Dragalge with Calm Mind if it has just used Draco Meteor.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster foes like Tyrantrum, Flygon, and Goodra can easily revenge kill Dragalge with minimal or no chip damage necessary.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [poh, 298730]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Dragalge is both a great support Pokemon and a potent wallbreaker in NU. Its defensive typing lets it easily switch into foes like Vileplume, Arcanine, and Rotom-C, generating free turns for it to throw off powerful Draco Meteors or simply pivot with Flip Turn. Furthermore, because Dragalge is so great at drawing in Steel-types, it has fantastic synergy with common wallbreakers like Sirfetch'd and Machamp that love free opportunities to switch in against such foes. Despite being a task to defensively answer, though, Dragalge is left vulnerable to faster foes like Flygon, Tyrantrum, and Starmie due to its poor Speed. Additionally, its reliance on Black Sludge for recovery and subpar physical bulk make it a poor answer to Fighting-types like Mienshao and Sirfetch'd despite its resistance to Close Combat.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Bomb
move 3: Flip Turn
move 4: Scald / Focus Blast
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Black Sludge
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest
evs: 252 HP / 124 SpA / 132 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Flip Turn lets Dragalge keep up momentum against Steel-types that switch into it. Scald threatens Steel-types such as Copperajah, Bronzong, and Escavalier with a burn, but Focus Blast is a workable alternative that nets more immediate damage onto Copperajah. Heavy-Duty Boots lets Dragalge pivot more freely without worry of repeated entry hazard damage. Alternatively, Black Sludge helps Dragalge repeatedly switch into weak, resisted attacks from the likes of Vileplume and Talonflame, although the immunity to hazard damage is usually preferred. The listed Speed EVs allow Dragalge to outspeed uninvested Sylveon.
Since Dragalge commonly draws in Steel-types like Copperajah and Bronzong, it pairs great with Fighting-types like Sirfetch'd, Machamp, and Mienshao that appreciate being brought in against such foes via Flip Turn. In a similar vein, Dragalge's strong Draco Meteor can force significant damage onto Steel-types over the course of a battle; teammates like Calm Mind Cresselia and Nasty Plot Celebi benefit from this. Dragalge is very prone to losing its item via Vileplume's Corrosive Gas and Golisopod's Knock Off, so Wish Sylveon makes up for that loss in longevity. Rotom-C is very problematic for Water-types like Gastrodon; Dragalge can easily wall it and is a solid Trick deterrent when running Black Sludge. Offensive Ground-types can easily KO Dragalge, so teammates like Rotom-C and Decidueye are ideal. Sylveon complements Dragalge well, forming a good defensive core capable of taking on Fighting-types. Similarly, Steel-types like Bronzong, Copperajah, and Escavalier are good defensive teammates; the former covers all of Dragalge's weaknesses, while the latter two threaten opposing Psychic- and Steel-types. In return, Dragalge checks Fire-types.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Toxic Spikes can be used instead of a fourth attacking move to punish teams lacking a grounded Poison-type. Choice Specs sets pack immense power but lack the longevity a typical utility set provides. Protect in tandem with Black Sludge bolsters Dragalge's passive recovery and helps it scout faster Choice item users like Flygon, Golurk, and Tyrantrum. RestTalk sets worry less about losing their item to Vileplume's Corrosive Gas, greatly boosting Dragalge's longevity at the cost of team utility.
Checks and Counters
====
**Steel-types**: Steel-types like Copperajah, Bronzong, and Escavalier are the most consistent defensive answers to Dragalge, and they aren't even affected by Toxic Spikes. However, they must be mindful of their HP because they lack reliable recovery, and they easily cede momentum to Dragalge if it uses Flip Turn as they switch in.
**Special Walls**: Mantine is capable of stomaching a Draco Meteor and recovering off the damage with Roost, while Cresselia can set up in Dragalge's face and heal with Moonlight. However, they're heavily pressured to use their recovery moves after stomaching a Draco Meteor.
**Psychic-types**: Starmie, Indeedee-F, and Celebi are all faster than Dragalge and can easily revenge kill it with their STAB Psychic-type attacks. Furthermore, Galarian Articuno can set up against Dragalge with Calm Mind if it has just used Draco Meteor.
**Revenge Killers**: Faster foes like Tyrantrum, Flygon, and Goodra can easily revenge kill Dragalge with minimal or no chip damage necessary.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Rabia, 336073]]
- Quality checked by: [[Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074], [poh, 298730]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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