[OVERVIEW]
Fraxure is a great physical wallbreaker and sweeper thanks to its offensive typing, good coverage moves, excellent ability, access to Dragon Dance, and base 117 Attack stat. Its main niche is wallbreaking with a Choice Band set that hits very hard with STAB Outrage. Poison Jab, Stomping Tantrum, and Low Kick allow it to hit Fairy- and Steel-types. Mold Breaker is easily Fraxure's best ability, allowing it to bypass many abilities on opposing Pokemon that would otherwise trouble it like Bronzor's Levitate and Pyukumuku's Unaware. Dragon Dance reinforces Fraxure's sweeping capabilities; even with its already high base 117 Attack stat, a Dragon Dance set helps Fraxure to overcome its middling Speed tier and sweep. A boosted Z-Move like Devastating Drake or All-Out Pummeling lets Fraxure overpower certain checks like physically defensive Mareanie and Golem. Fraxure does face some competition in ZU from other offensive Dragon-types like Silvally-Dragon and Hakamo-o. Hakamo-o has a better defensive typing and is able to use Bulk Up, while Silvally-Dragon is naturally faster, can pivot with U-turn, and has access to Defog. There are also other physical wallbreakers that give Fraxure competition, like Golem and Komala. Fraxure's lack of reliable recovery and low base Speed can leave it vulnerable to common wallbreakers if entry hazards are on the field. Dragon Dance sets are also easily revenge killed by Choice Scarf users like Electivire and Sawsbuck due to Fraxure's mediocre Speed. While Fraxure can hit Pokemon like Granbull, Mawile, and Metang, they can use their Fairy and Steel typings to pivot into Outrage or Poison Jab and potentially get a free turn. Even if it predicts correctly, Fraxure needs an Attack boost from Dragon Dance or Choice Band to do serious damage to these threats. Even with Eviolite, the plethora of wallbreakers in the metagame can still manage to heavily pressure Fraxure. To make matters worse, Knock Off users like Komala and Machoke can remove Fraxure's Eviolite and suddenly make it less bulky.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Stomping Tantrum
move 3: Poison Jab
move 4: Low Kick / Dragon Claw
item: Choice Band
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage is Fraxure's strongest STAB move that hits anything that doesn't resist it hard, like defensive Golem and Gourgeist-XL. Stomping Tantrum helps Fraxure to break past the Steel-types of the tier like Bronzor, Mawile, Pawniard, and Metang. Poison Jab hits the Fairy-types that are immune to Outrage like Granbull, Mr. Mime, and Shiinotic. Low Kick hits bulkier Pokemon like Lickilicky, Bouffalant, and Golem. Dragon Claw is a STAB option that can be used over Low Kick. It's not as powerful as Outrage, but Fraxure won't be locked into it and can switch out after one use.
Set Details
========
An Adamant nature and an EV spread of 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe is preferred for attacking power, but Jolly can be chosen to outspeed foes like Komala and Butterfree. Mold Breaker ignores other abilities like Bronzor's Levitate and Pyukumuku's Unaware, which reinforces Fraxure's capabilities as a wallbreaker.
Usage Tips
========
Outrage is best not used until all Steel- and Fairy-types are out of commission, so as to avoid being locked into it against a foe that resists or is immune to it. Instead, using Dragon Claw is preferred until said foes are gone. Fraxure also doesn't like being locked into Outrage against more offensive teams, since it becomes an easier target for revenge killers such as Floatzel and Electivire. Predicting switch-ins and catching them with the appropriate coverage move or double switching into a teammate in order to avoid these situations will be important. For example, Stomping Tantrum should be used to hit Mawile and Bronzor, while Low Kick should be used for Golem and Lickilicky. Fraxure should only stay in if can ensure a OHKO or 2HKO against the current foe or a potential incoming threat. Bringing Fraxure in via a slow Volt Switch, U-turn, or Parting Shot is recommended so as to limit the damage it takes as much as possible. Double switching when the opponent is expected to bring in a passive threat like Mareanie is also a good way to bring in Fraxure. It doesn't like being in for long periods of time so as to keep itself healthy for wallbreaking. Because Fraxure is using a Choice Band, it needs to be wary of potential opportunities it can create for setup sweepers if it's locked into the wrong move. For example, if Low Kick is used, Rain Dance Swanna can come in and set up. Keeping Fraxure away from Knock Off users like Komala is wise so it doesn't risk losing its Choice Band and its wallbreaking capabilities with it. Trick and Switcheroo users like Floatzel and Rotom-S can also take away its Choice Band.
Team Options
========
Fraxure fits best on offensive teams in need of a strong physical wallbreaker that resists elemental move types like Fire, Grass, Water, and Electric. While it has the moves to deal with Fairy- and Steel-types, Fraxure cannot always take them on in case it predicts incorrectly. Therefore, having a Poison- or Fighting-type like Curse Muk or Silvally-Fighting as a teammate helps it out greatly. Additional good teammates include Magnet Pull Alolan Golem and Probopass, which can trap Steel-types for Fraxure. Entry hazard removal is critical to keeping Fraxure healthy, so having a teammate that can perform this role like Komala, Sandslash, or Silvally-Poison is highly beneficial. Teammates such as Combusken, Simisear, and Poliwrath that can take care of the Ice-types of the tier like Avalugg, Beartic, Regice, and Glaceon are appreciated. Bringing Fraxure in through a Volt Switch, U-turn, or Parting Shot user like Electivire or Silvally-Fighting limits the damage it takes and give it more chances to wallbreak. Entry hazard setters like Mareanie, Golem, and Bronzor can set Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock to wear down the opposing teams and make Fraxure's wallbreaking job easier. Setup sweepers like Combusken and Swanna make for great teammates, since Fraxure can break down walls like Lickilicky or Pyukumuku that would otherwise halt their sweeping chances. Revenge killers like Kadabra and Choice Scarf Electivire can pick off Fraxure, so teammates that can deal with these threats like Bouffalant, Granbull, and Choice Scarf Mr. Mime are appreciated. Mr. Mime can also use Healing Wish to restore any lost HP or unwanted status condition that Fraxure has incurred. Lastly, teammates that can absorb Knock Off like Silvally-Fighting, Granbull, and Mawile help Fraxure out greatly.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance
move 1: Dragon Dance
move 2: Outrage
move 3: Stomping Tantrum / Low Kick
move 4: Poison Jab
item: Eviolite / Dragonium Z
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Adamant / Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stomping Tantrum hits annoying Steel-types like Bronzor, Mawile, and Metang. Low Kick is a decent alternative to Stomping Tantrum that allows Fraxure to hit bulky Normal- and Rock-types like Lickilicky, Bouffalant, and Golem harder. Poison Jab gives Fraxure a fighting chance against Fairy-types like Mr. Mime, Granbull, and Shiinotic.
Set Details
========
252 EVs in Attack and Speed maximize Fraxure's damage output and speed, which helps it to sweep. With a Jolly nature, Fraxure can outspeed threats like Floatzel and Simipour after a Dragon Dance boost and hit them before they can retaliate with their respective Ice-type moves. If running an Adamant nature, Fraxure can 2HKO defensive Golem after Stealth Rock and a Dragon Dance boost. Mold Breaker is a blessing for Fraxure, as it lets it bypass otherwise problematic abilities like Bronzor's Levitate and Pyukumuku's Unaware. Eviolite is the recommended item to give this set a much-needed boost in its Defense and Special Defense. Alternatively, Dragonium Z turns Outrage into Devastating Drake, granting Fraxure a one-time nuke for physically defensive threats like Golem, Gourgeist-XL, and Poliwrath.
Usage Tips
========
Dragon Dance should be used mid- or -late game in order to maximize Fraxure's effectiveness. Ensuring that all of the opponent's Fairy- and Steel-types are gone is essential before using Outrage so as to avoid being locked into it and leaving Fraxure open to status afflictions. Other checks to Fraxure like physically defensive Golem also must be weakened for Outrage to be effective. Ensuring that all entry hazards are gone is also essential for Fraxure's sweeping chances, since it has no reliable recovery, and poison from Toxic Spikes puts it on a timer. Bringing Fraxure in via a pivot should always be the norm, since preserving its HP will be of the utmost importance for its sweeping chances. Fraxure values its Eviolite and would rather not have it removed via Knock Off, Trick, or Switcheroo. Therefore, keeping it away from the likes of Mr. Mime and Floatzel is very wise. Aside from the downside of losing its Eviolite, Fraxure doesn't want to stomach a Knock Off from Komala anyway. Fraxure will generally want to set up on Choice-locked Pokemon, like Floatzel using a Water-type move and Electivire locked into Wild Charge or Flamethrower, or Pokemon with a severely lowered attacking stat, like Zebstrika after it has used Overheat, since any follow-up move used by such Pokemon will not hit Fraxure very hard due to its Eviolite.
Team Options
========
Safe entry onto the field is a must for every time Fraxure attempts to set up. Slow pivots that can use U-turn and Volt Switch, like Komala and Alolan Golem, can bring Fraxure in safely. Having the field free of entry hazards is something else that Fraxure appreciates. Examples of teammates that can help with hazard control include Komala, Sandslash, Swanna, and Rotom-S, while Mareanie and Muk can absorb Toxic Spikes for Fraxure. Having entry hazards on the opponent's side of the field gives Fraxure an easier time sweeping, so Stealth Rock setters like Golem, Bronzor, Mawile, and Metang pair well. Since Fraxure is a setup sweeper and runs the risk of getting a nasty status affliction, having a cleric on the team like Healing Wish Mr. Mime, Heal Bell + Wish Lickilicky, or even Heal Bell Granbull can be beneficial to give it a second chance at sweeping. Since Will-O-Wisp from Gourgeist-XL derails any hopes of Fraxure sweeping the opposing team, Pokemon that can absorb burns or beat Gourgeist-XL make for great teammates. Examples include Z-Rain Dance Swanna, Combusken, and Rapidash. Choice Scarf users like Swanna, Electivire, Rapidash, and Silvally can all can be a headache for Fraxure, as they can outspeed Adamant sets even after two Dragon Dances. Therefore, teammates like defensive Golem, Choice Scarf Electivire, and Mareanie help Fraxure greatly, since they can deal with these threats. A teammate that can provide dual screens support like Electrode or Meowstic is great for Fraxure, especially if it's on a hyper offensive team, to give it that extra bulk needed to stomach more hits while setting up.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A Swords Dance set can be viable because it doesn't burden Fraxure by locking it into a move while sending its Attack to sky-high levels, but Fraxure misses out on gaining the Speed that Dragon Dance boosts provide, not to mention that Fraxure has no priority moves to hit threats faster than it. Superpower is a possible alternative to Low Kick for guaranteed power, but it has the added cost of lowering Fraxure's Attack and Defense, both of which it does not sit well with. On the Dragon Dance set, having Substitute as a utility option can pay off, as it doesn't require Fraxure to predict as much and allows it to avoid unwanted status. This will cost Fraxure a coverage move, however. Futhermore, Fraxure's bulk is not all that great, which limits the opportunities that it has to set up a Substitute. Taunt is a nice utility move that, when combined with Mold Breaker, makes Fraxure a threat to defensive teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Despite Fraxure's ability to deal with them via coverage moves, pesky Steel-types like Bronzor, Mawile, and Metang can give it trouble, especially if it's locked into Poison Jab or Outrage. They all do need to be wary of Stomping Tantrum, however.
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Granbull, Shiinotic, and Mr. Mime can all come in on Fraxure's moves at a risk. However, Granbull can handle only one Poison Jab and Shiinotic cannot handle one at all, although Mawile can wall Fraxure almost completely.
**Gourgeist-XL**: Gourgeist-XL, with its annoyingly high physical bulk, manages to take hits from either of Fraxure's sets, burn it, and then recover its lost HP. However, Gourgeist-XL does need to be wary of Devastating Drake hitting it hard.
**Faster Pokemon**: Choice Scarf users like Electivire, Silvally, Chatot, and Mr. Mime can outspeed Fraxure at +1 and use moves like Ice Punch, Double-Edge, Boomburst, and Dazzling Gleam to revenge kill it.
**Residual Damage**: All forms of entry hazards affect Fraxure. They're a problem especially if Fraxure is running the Dragon Dance set, since Toxic poison from Toxic Spikes puts it on a timer.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Oathkeepre, 83980]]
- Quality checked by: [[5gen, 296755], [Funbot28, 255984], [BloodAce0107, 435539]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [Mafeking, 122460]]
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