QC: dodmen / nv / Kreme
GP: GatoDelFuego / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Exploud might not seem very impressive at first glance, but it's blessed with a single move, Boomburst, that transforms it into a frightening wallbreaker. Boomburst is the sole reason Exploud ever sees the light of day in UU, and this is only amplified by its ability Scrappy, which lets Boomburst and Focus Blast hit Ghost-types, making Exploud very hard to switch into. Despite these positive traits, Exploud is plagued with a low Speed stat, which leaves it outpaced by common UU threats. Its relatively poor Speed also limits its wallbreaking potential, and its mediocre defensive typing leaves it liable to being easily revenge killed.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Boomburst
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Sleep Talk / Surf
item: Choice Specs
ability: Scrappy
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Boomburst is Exploud's most powerful STAB move with no drawbacks, and it should be used most of the time. Focus Blast gives Exploud perfect neutral coverage alongside Boomburst thanks to Scrappy and allows Exploud to hit Empoleon and Blissey for solid damage, the latter of which has to be severely weakened for it to be beaten. Fire Blast hits Bronzong, which would otherwise wall Exploud. Sleep Talk is a viable option if you'd like Exploud to work as a sleep absorber. Surf nails Mega Aerodactyl for solid damage, but it's worth noting that Boomburst still hits it very hard. Flamethrower is an option over Fire Blast if you prefer accuracy rather than power.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment enables Exploud to hit as hard and fast as possible. Scrappy is the ability of choice, as it allows Exploud to hit Ghost-types with Boomburst and gives Exploud a niche over Porygon-Z, which otherwise outclasses it in all aspects. Choice Specs augments Exploud's power by a large degree and allows it to hit incredibly hard, an example of which is being able to 2HKO defensive Porygon2 after Stealth Rock. Timid is an option over Modest, as it allows Exploud to outrun Modest Nidoqueen and Modest Mega Blastoise, as well as slower offensive threats such as Crawdaunt. However, Exploud sorely misses the extra power, such as failing to easily 2HKO Porygon2 and OHKO most Nidoqueen variants.
Usage Tips
========
It's best to utilize Exploud as a hit-and-run attacker, as its subpar bulk reduces its staying power. This makes support through Volt Switch or U-turn optimal to get it in safely. Alternatively, it can be brought in after a teammate has fainted or through double switches. Boomburst should be used the majority of the time, as nothing likes to switch into it. Exploud's coverage options should only be used when absolutely necessary, such as when predicting an appropriate switch-in.
Team Options
========
U-turn and Volt Switch users, such as Gligar, Mienshao, Crobat, and Forretress, are all great partners, as they give Exploud switch initiative. Fighting-types such as Cobalion, Toxicroak, and Mienshao make for good partners as well because they can all beat Blissey. Mienshao in particular is a good teammate, as it can also provide U-turn support. Crobat and Gligar deserve special mention, as they can both take on Fighting-types and offer support in the form of U-turn and entry hazard removal. Galvantula provides both Volt Switch and Sticky Web support, which temporarily mitigates Exploud's Speed issues. That being said, Exploud appreciates all forms of speed control, which makes Whimsicott and Hoopa nice teammates, because the former gives Stun Spore support and the latter provides Trick Room. Fairy-, Flying-, and Psychic-types such as Gardevoir, Zapdos, and Alakazam are great teammates, as they can beat opposing Fighting-types. Gardevoir can also offer Healing Wish support, which gives Exploud a second chance to wallbreak. Finally, setup sweepers such as Salamence, Mega Swampert, and Cobalion all appreciate Exploud's wallbreaking ability.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A mixed Life Orb set with Hammer Arm might seem plausible to break past Blissey, but with Exploud's fragility and low Speed, it finds itself worn down very easily, and sacrificing its overall effectiveness for a single threat isn't worth it. Work Up could be used so that Exploud may function as a stallbreaker, but it prefers the immediate power Choice Specs offers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Blissey**: Blissey is the most reliable counter to Exploud, as it is never 2HKOed by Focus Blast and can heal off any damage Exploud inflicts upon it.
**Faster Threats**: Faster Pokemon like Salamence, Cobalion, Hydreigon, and Entei can all outspeed Exploud and KO it with their STAB moves.
GP: GatoDelFuego / The Dutch Plumberjack
[OVERVIEW]
Exploud might not seem very impressive at first glance, but it's blessed with a single move, Boomburst, that transforms it into a frightening wallbreaker. Boomburst is the sole reason Exploud ever sees the light of day in UU, and this is only amplified by its ability Scrappy, which lets Boomburst and Focus Blast hit Ghost-types, making Exploud very hard to switch into. Despite these positive traits, Exploud is plagued with a low Speed stat, which leaves it outpaced by common UU threats. Its relatively poor Speed also limits its wallbreaking potential, and its mediocre defensive typing leaves it liable to being easily revenge killed.
[SET]
name: Choice Specs
move 1: Boomburst
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Sleep Talk / Surf
item: Choice Specs
ability: Scrappy
nature: Modest / Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Boomburst is Exploud's most powerful STAB move with no drawbacks, and it should be used most of the time. Focus Blast gives Exploud perfect neutral coverage alongside Boomburst thanks to Scrappy and allows Exploud to hit Empoleon and Blissey for solid damage, the latter of which has to be severely weakened for it to be beaten. Fire Blast hits Bronzong, which would otherwise wall Exploud. Sleep Talk is a viable option if you'd like Exploud to work as a sleep absorber. Surf nails Mega Aerodactyl for solid damage, but it's worth noting that Boomburst still hits it very hard. Flamethrower is an option over Fire Blast if you prefer accuracy rather than power.
Set Details
========
Maximum Special Attack and Speed investment enables Exploud to hit as hard and fast as possible. Scrappy is the ability of choice, as it allows Exploud to hit Ghost-types with Boomburst and gives Exploud a niche over Porygon-Z, which otherwise outclasses it in all aspects. Choice Specs augments Exploud's power by a large degree and allows it to hit incredibly hard, an example of which is being able to 2HKO defensive Porygon2 after Stealth Rock. Timid is an option over Modest, as it allows Exploud to outrun Modest Nidoqueen and Modest Mega Blastoise, as well as slower offensive threats such as Crawdaunt. However, Exploud sorely misses the extra power, such as failing to easily 2HKO Porygon2 and OHKO most Nidoqueen variants.
Usage Tips
========
It's best to utilize Exploud as a hit-and-run attacker, as its subpar bulk reduces its staying power. This makes support through Volt Switch or U-turn optimal to get it in safely. Alternatively, it can be brought in after a teammate has fainted or through double switches. Boomburst should be used the majority of the time, as nothing likes to switch into it. Exploud's coverage options should only be used when absolutely necessary, such as when predicting an appropriate switch-in.
Team Options
========
U-turn and Volt Switch users, such as Gligar, Mienshao, Crobat, and Forretress, are all great partners, as they give Exploud switch initiative. Fighting-types such as Cobalion, Toxicroak, and Mienshao make for good partners as well because they can all beat Blissey. Mienshao in particular is a good teammate, as it can also provide U-turn support. Crobat and Gligar deserve special mention, as they can both take on Fighting-types and offer support in the form of U-turn and entry hazard removal. Galvantula provides both Volt Switch and Sticky Web support, which temporarily mitigates Exploud's Speed issues. That being said, Exploud appreciates all forms of speed control, which makes Whimsicott and Hoopa nice teammates, because the former gives Stun Spore support and the latter provides Trick Room. Fairy-, Flying-, and Psychic-types such as Gardevoir, Zapdos, and Alakazam are great teammates, as they can beat opposing Fighting-types. Gardevoir can also offer Healing Wish support, which gives Exploud a second chance to wallbreak. Finally, setup sweepers such as Salamence, Mega Swampert, and Cobalion all appreciate Exploud's wallbreaking ability.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A mixed Life Orb set with Hammer Arm might seem plausible to break past Blissey, but with Exploud's fragility and low Speed, it finds itself worn down very easily, and sacrificing its overall effectiveness for a single threat isn't worth it. Work Up could be used so that Exploud may function as a stallbreaker, but it prefers the immediate power Choice Specs offers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Blissey**: Blissey is the most reliable counter to Exploud, as it is never 2HKOed by Focus Blast and can heal off any damage Exploud inflicts upon it.
**Faster Threats**: Faster Pokemon like Salamence, Cobalion, Hydreigon, and Entei can all outspeed Exploud and KO it with their STAB moves.
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