[OVERVIEW]
Seadra is one of NFE's bulkiest pivots, distinguishing itself from fellow bulky Water-type Quaxwell through its excellent physical bulk, customizable Speed, and Poison Point. Unlike Quaxwell, its greater Speed, bulk, and Poison Point makes more consistent at answering physical attackers like Piloswine, Pignite, and Monferno, able to switch in more often while discouraging physical attacks against them in return. With minimal EVs, it can outrun slower breakers like Pignite with ease and even faster attackers like Monferno and Gabite with full investment. However, Seadra's shallow movepool makes it inflexible, as while it walls most physical attackers well, it is one-dimensional outside of this role, and leaves it easily walled by other Grass-types like Servine and Ivysaur. Seadra's poor special bulk leaves it easily overwhelmed by special attackers like Girafarig and Duosion. It faces significant competition from Quaxwell, who trades lower Speed and bulk for Rapid Spin and Encore utility and reliable recovery.
[SET]
Defensive Pivot (Seadra) @ Eviolite
Ability: Poison Point
EVs: 252 HP / 240 Def / 16 Spe
Bold Nature
- Flip Turn
- Surf
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
[SET COMMENTS]
Seadra is NFE's best check against Ground- and Fire-types like Piloswine and Pignite thanks to its physical bulk, typing, and great natural speed. Grass-types like Servine and Thwackey looking to take back momentum will instead be put in the back foot with Flip Turn. Surf discourages physical walls like Koffing and Naclstack from making free progress against it, while also discouraging Piloswine and Pignite from firing away attacks. The combination of Rest and Sleep Talk make Seadra a good status absorber and continue its walling duties. Poison Point discourages physical attackers from freely spamming STAB moves, Knock Off, or U-turn, as well punishing Quaxwell from using Rapid Spin. 16 Speed EVs allow it to outrun Pignite.
Seadra fits on bulky and balanced teams well for teams looking for a physical wall and pivot that punishes other physical attackers. Seadra despises Grass-types like Thwackey, Servine, and Ivysaur; Steel- and Poison-types like Hisuian Sliggoo and Koffing make for excellent partners. Special attackers like Girafarig, Duosion, and Frogadier can blast through Seadra's meager special bulk, so special walls like Tinkatuff and utility Dunsparce remain good answers to them. Dragon-types like Fraxure, Drakloak, and Hisuian Sliggoo can exploit Seadra's passivity, so checks to them like Piloswine and Tinkatuff can be helpful at answering them. Fletchinder and Hattrem can accentuate Seadra’s vulnerability to residual damage with Defog and Magic Bounce, respectively.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Seadra can use Ice Beam over Surf to surprise Grass- and Dragon-types like Servine, Thwackey, Fraxure, and Drakloak intending its standard set. These sets can also use an EV spread of 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe with a Bold nature to outspeed Fraxure and most Glimmet sets, though this gives up a noticeable amount of bulk and makes it faster to wear down.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Thwackey, Servine, and Ivysaur take little damage against Seadra's moves and can pivot in with impunity. They capitalize on switches against Seadra's teammates with Knock Off or Grass-type STAB moves.
**Dragon-types**: Fraxure, Hisuian Sliggoo, and Drakloak resist Seadra's STAB moves and can either set up on it or exploits its passivity with their powerful STAB moves.
**Special Attackers**: Seadra's awful special bulk makes it highly susceptible to special attackers like Girafarig and Duosion.
**Water-immune Pokemon**: While rare in the current metagame, Chinchou and Wooper-Paldea blank Seadra's standard moves and can answer back with Electric STAB moves and utility moves, respectively.
**Residual Damage**: With only Rest for recovery, Seadra can be worn down quickly by hazards and circumventing its excellent bulk. Quilladin is especially notable for resisting Seadra’s STAB moves and can phase it with Roar to build more residual damage.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/5dots.543866/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/pandadoux.511130/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
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