[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Precipice Blades
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Swords Dance
move 4: Protect
item: Sitrus Berry
ability: Drought
nature: Adamant
evs: 244 HP / 180 Atk / 4 Def / 4 SpD / 76 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
In a metagame where Restricted Pokemon run rampant and the premier teams are sun teams, Groudon is easily a top contender. While Groudon is certainly threatening by itself, it's so good more because Drought serves as a catalyst for two of the metagame's most dangerous Pokemon, those being Charizard and Venusaur. Precipice Blades is Groudon's strongest STAB move and gives it access to Max Quake to boost its weaker Special Defense. Groudon has more consistent STAB options, but there is simply too much opportunity cost to reasonably justify them. Rock Slide gives Groudon means to hit Flying-types such as Zapdos and Yveltal, and most critically it threatens an OHKO against Dynamaxed Charizard via Max Rockfall. Swords Dance is useful for offsetting Intimidate from the likes of Landorus-T and Incineroar, and thanks to Groudon's bulk, it can oftentimes get one or even multiple boosts. Sitrus Berry improves Groudon's longevity as a bulky Swords Dance user and support Pokemon to Charizard and Venusaur. Alternatively, Groudon can run White Herb in order to offset Intimidate and make itself generally more threatening; however, Groudon oftentimes doesn't need to be more threatening because its teammates do that job. The given EV spread allows Groudon to outspeed -1 Thundurus and outspeed Tornadus while at +1, both of which are relevant given Groudon is often paired with Charizard, which can use Max Airstream, and Electroweb Regieleki.
Groudon should always be paired with Venusaur and almost always with Charizard; there is simply little reason to not use Pokemon that are so powerful in the sun. Venusaur helps Groudon by thwarting Water-types such as Rotom-W, Blastoise, and Kyogre. In return, Groudon can thwart Fire-types like Incineroar and Coalossal. Charizard can assist Groudon by checking Grass-types such as Rillaboom and Venusaur, while Groudon can check Regieleki and Coalossal for Charizard. Regieleki is a great teammate for being one of the best answers to Kyogre teams, and it can also provide Groudon speed control with Electroweb. Grimmsnarl can provide dual screens to bolster Groudon's already good defensive stats, which can help it set up with Swords Dance more safely. Grimmsnarl can also mitigate Groudon's middling Speed via Scary Face or Thunder Wave. Porygon2 is a great partner for Groudon because it's a great check to Landorus-T with Ice Beam, most importantly, and also Calyrex-S with Eerie Impulse, which are both Pokemon that can greatly trouble Groudon teams. Porygon2 can also provide speed control to Groudon with Trick Room. Incineroar supports pretty much every Pokemon well and Groudon is no exception, appreciating Incineroar's ability to keep the likes of Venusaur, Rillaboom, and Calyrex-S in check if it's running Assault Vest. Umbreon is one of the best answers to Calyrex-S and also a solid answer to Calyrex-I, both of which can greatly trouble Groudon and its common teammates. Note that running Umbreon gives up the ability to reasonably justify Porygon2, which compromises the matchup against Landorus-T.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Yourwelcomethanku, 541847]]
- Quality checked by: [[Giokio, 517038]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429]]
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