A Guide to Stall in BW OU
By Calm Pokemaster and Kevin Garrett
[a]A Sample Stall Team[/a]
[a]Conclusion[/a]
[a]Introduction to Stall[/a]
Introduction to Stall
Stall, what is it? Basically, stalling is going on the defensive to wear down opponents through indirect means, such as status, entry hazards, and the use of phazing moves. ''The best offense, is defense'' aptly suits this strategy. Stall might not be a cup of tea for many, but if done correctly it can be infinitely frustrating for the opponent to break through your defenses and have any control over the battle, msking it easy for you to secure a win.
There are several types of Stall-Sandstorm Stall and Hail Stall to name a few. Each type has its own strategy, Pokemon and items to consider. Even in today's fast paced metagame with monstrously power setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Garchomp, Sand Throw Excadrill, and Bulk Up Conkeldurr, Stall has found a place along side Hyper Offense and Balanced Teams. [a]Types of Stall[/a]
Types of Stall
As mentioned earlier, there are several types of stall-Sandstorm Stall, Hail Stall and Semi Stall. Weather adds more passive damage, which in addition to entry hazards and status can slowly wear down the opponent. As such, weather teams based on stalling usually have Pokemon immune to the said weather. This section offers a detailed look into each type of stall commonly used in the metagame.
Sandstorm Stall
Sandstorm stall teams are arguably the most common stall teams seen, as sandstorm can easily be set up, and offers a Special Defense boost to Rock-type Pokemon. This type of stall is dependent on sandstorm inducers such as Hippowdon and Tyranitar. These Pokemon also have access to Stealth Rock, making them a great choice for a lead on sand stall teams. As with any stall team, Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Forretress are common on sand stall teams, since they can lay down entry hazards, and also have an immunity to sandstorm courtesy their Steel typing. However, sandstorm stall teams are vulnerable to offensive rain teams, since most Ground- and Rock-type Pokemon are weak to the boosted Water-type attacks which all rain sweepers tend to carry. As such, keeping one's Sand Stream Pokemon alive is paramount to the success of any sandstorm stall team.
Hail Stall
When done correctly, hail stall can be infinitely frustrating for the opponent. Hail Stall teams commonly use an Abomasnow as a lead to set up permanent Hail. However, it should be noted that offensive Sandstorm teams will destroy Hail Stall teams once Abomasnow is out of the way. Even then, Hail Stall is a potent force, having great defensive Pokemon such as the legendary StallRein. With Ice Body and Leftovers recovering 12% of Walrein's health every turn, Walrein can alternate between Substitute and Protect, quickly wearing down the opponent. Hail Stall teams are rarely mono-Ice teams, and often carry bulky Fighting-type Pokemon such as Conkeldurr and Hariyama to counter the Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon which can pose problems for any Hail team. [a]Pokemon to Consider[/a]
Pokemon to Consider
For any stall team to be succesful, the chosen Pokemon must have excellent synergy, and the ability to combat common offensive threats present in the metagame. As such, randomly picking 6 Pokemon with good defensive stats for a stall team will more often than not produce the wrong results. On basis of their defensive stats, Pokemon are commonly classified into physical walls, special walls and mixed walls. Mixed walls with different EV spreads can be utilised to take on specific threats, which is their main selling point over other specialised walls. Along with walls, Pokemon such as Forretress and Skarmory which lay entry hazards also form an integral part of any stall team.
Walls
Walls perform the function of checking specific offensive threats using their high defensive stats, typing, and movepools. This sub-section will give short overviews of the common walls present in the OU tier.
Skarmory
Base Stats-65 HP / 80 Atk / 140 Def / 40 SpA / 70 SpD / 70 Spe
Typing- Steel / Flying
Ability-Keen Eye / Sturdy / Broken Armor
With its Steel typing and huge base Defense, in addition to an excellent recovery move in Roost, Skarmory is one of the best physical walls present in OU. Skarmory also gained a useful buff to Sturdy, which now acts as a Focus Sash whenever Skarmory is at full health. In a metagame having obscenely powerful physical sweepers such as Garchomp, Haxorus, and Conkeldurr, Skarmory stands out with its ability to tank powerful physical attacks from such Pokemon. It has a reliable STAB move in Brave Bird too, the recoil from which can also be easily healed off with Roost. With its physical bulk, Skarmory can also lay down entry hazards such as Spikes and cause residual damage with Whirlwind, which gives Skarmory the ability to phaze stat boosts and wear down the opponent at an alarming speed. Even in the 5th generation, the infamous ''SkarmBliss' combination can be put to great use, together walling a lot of Pokemon.
However, Skarmory faces a lot of competition from Ferrothorn, who has a much better Special Defense and a noticeably higher Attack stat to go with access to powerful STAB attacks in Gyro Ball and Power Whip. Still, the absence of a 4x weakness to Fire-type attacks, a reliable recovery move in Roost and an invaluable immunity to Ground-type attacks set Skarmory apart from Ferrothorn and other Steel-type walls such as Forretress. Its great physical bulk and support movepool will enable it to fit onto almost any stall team with ease.
Blissey
Base Stats- 255 / 10 / 10 / 75 / 135 / 55
Typing- Normal
Ability- Natural Cure / Serene Grace / Healing Heart
Blissey returns as one of the premier special walls of the 5th generation. This time around, it faces severe competition from none other than Chansey, whose defenses surpass Blissey's with the use of a Eviolite. The main reasons why Blissey should be preferred over Chansey are the abilities to utilise its wide special movepool with a much higher base Special Attack stat and hold an additional recovery item in Leftovers.
With a gigantic support movepool which includes some unique options such as Heal Bell and Counter, Blissey can perform many different roles in stall teams. In addition to walling special attackers, Blissey can spread paralysis with Thunder Wave, revenge kill physical threats with Counter, and act as a team supporter by running Heal Bell and Wish. Access to a reliable recovery move in Softboiled and status moves such as Toxic allows Blissey to stall out a wide range of special attackers. The change in Wish mechanics also allows Blissey to pass gigantic 357 HP Wishes to its teammates. Its wide special movepool, which has moves such as Flamethrower, Thunderbolt and Ice Beam, also helps Blissey to counter specific threats, leaving its opponents guessing as to what moveset Blissey is running.
However, powerful physical sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill can use Blissey as setup bait and dispose of it easily, undermining its defensive capabilities. A weakness to common Fighting-type attacks doesn't help, either. Still, the ability to wall powerful special sweepers such as Chandelure, Hydreigon, and Thundurus, hold Leftovers and utilise its wide special movepool to an extent ensures that Blissey isn't completely outclassed by Chansey, and makes it a great Pokemon to have on a stall team.
Jellicent
Base Stats- 100 / 60 / 70 / 85 / 105 / 60
Typing-Water / Ghost
Ability- Water Absorb / Cursed Body / Damp
In a metagame where bulky Water-types and spin blockers are keenly sought after, Jellicent occupies a niche with the ability to perform both roles effectively. Having an excellent Water / Ghost defensive typing, high HP and Special Defense stats, and a fantastic support movepool, Jellicent performs both roles well. It has two fantastic abilities in Water Absorb and Cursed Body. Water Absorb gives Jellicent many oppurtunities to switch in, especially on Choiced Water-type attacks. On the other hand, Cursed Body gives Jellicent a better chance to stall out threats carrying attacks which hit Jellicent for super effective damage, and can occasionally deprive a sweeper of its coverage move. It also forces mono-attackers to use Struggle, wearing them down very quickly.
Jellicent has a large support movepool which helps it stall out many common threats. Along with reliable recovery in Recover, Jellicent can also inflict status upon the opponent using Will-O-Wisp and Toxic. Will-O-Wisp allows Jellicent to burn hard-hitting physical attackers, helping it take the powerful physical attacks which it normally can't owing to its low base 70 Defense. On the other hand, Toxic forces switches and, along with Recover, helps Jellicent to stall out Pokemon. As far as offense is concerned, Jellicent also has special attacks such as Surf, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam and Energy Ball to whittle down the opponent's HP with. Jellicent also forms an effective defensive combination with Ferrothorn-christened as ''NatGeru''-to rival ''SkarmBliss'' of the previous generations.
Despite giving it resistances to many common attacks, Jellicent's typing makes it weak to Electric- and Dark-type attacks. The latter is all the more worrisome, since it hands Jellicent a crippling weakness to Pursuit from the likes of Tyranitar and Scizor. Jellicent is also setup bait for setup sweepers having access to Taunt. Despite these flaws, Jellicent is one of the most common walls seen on stall teams, and is one Pokemon which every team should be prepared to face.
Ferrothorn
Base Stats- 74 / 94 / 131 / 54 / 116 / 20
Typing- Grass / Steel
Ability- Iron Barbs
Despite facing severe competition from Skarmory as a physical wall in OU, Ferrothorn is one of the most common walls seen on any stall team. Just about every stall team uses the effective NatGeru defensive core, since Ferrothorn and Jellicent cover their weaknesses perfectly. Ferrothorn differentiates itself from other generic physically defensive Steel-types with its fantastic base 116 Special Defense, which allows Ferrothorn to be an effective mixed wall.
With its vast support movepool, Ferrothron can play many different roles in a stall team. It can lay down entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes, wear down the opponent with Leech Seed and Toxic, or provide paralysis support with Thunder Wave. Even though Ferrothorn does not have an recovery move, it makes up for it somewhat with Leech Seed. With Leech Seed, Toxic, and Iron Barbs, Ferrothorn can very quickly wear down the opponent.
The main problems that plague Ferrothorn are weaknesses to the ever-so-common Fire- and Fighting-type attacks, and the absence of a reliable recovery move. Powerful Fighting-type setup sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Lucario can also switch in and set up on Ferrothorn. Unless it carries both Power Whip and Gyro Ball to significantly damage the foe, Ferothorn will be complete Taunt bait. Still, with its high base defensive stats and unique typing, Ferrothorn can wall many dangerous offensive threats such as Starmie and Gyarados.
Gliscor
Base Stats- 75 / 95 / 125 / 45 / 75 / 95
Typing- Ground / Flying
Ability- Hyper Cutter / Sand Veil / Poison Heal
With a fantastic defensive typing giving it just two weaknesses, and a huge base Defense stat, Gliscor can wall some of the most prominent physical sweepers in OU. Access to slow but continuous recovery in Poison Heal, an immunity to all other forms of status, and the ability to sponge almost all physical attacks with ease make Gliscor extremely annoying to take down.
Gliscor has a good support movepool, with some unique moves such as Counter. With Protect, Gliscor can scout the opponent's move and obtain free recovery, or stall out the opponent with the help of residual damage. It can also further weaken the opponent with STAB Earthquake and Acrobat, or toxicise the foe using Fling. Gliscor's unique typing, which gives it valuable immunities to Electric- and Ground-type attacks, allows it to act as a defensive pivot and force switches.
However, Gliscor's average Special Defense hinders its ability to stall effectively. This is further compounded by the fact that Gliscor has weaknesses to common Water- and Ice-type attacks. Still, a resistance to Fighting-type attacks along with valuable immunities to Electric- and Ground-type attacks gives Gliscor the ability to wall powerful physical sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill.
Vaporeon
Base Stats- 130 / 65 / 60 / 110 / 95 / 60
Typing- Water
Ability- Water Absorb / Hydration
With the change in Wish mechanics, Vaporeon can now pass huge 232 HP Wishes to its teammates, making it an excellent support Pokemon. With its high HP and Special Defense stats, and access to a myriad of support moves, Vaporeon can be a very useful Pokemon on a stall team. Wish, Toxic, and Protect allow Vaporeon to stall out a large number of opponents with ease. Access to Roar allows Vaporeon to phaze opponents and indirectly damage the foe with the help of entry hazards. Scald helps Vaporeon weather powerful physical attacks which it sometimes cannot take owing to its poor Defense. It also has two excellent abilities in Hydration and Water Absorb. Hydration allows Vaporeon to effectively abuse Rest under Rain, while Water Absorb gives it the ability to switch in freely on Water-type attacks.
However, Pokemon having an immunity to Toxic and a reliable recovery move, such as Reuniclus, will use Vaporeon as setup bait unless Vaporeon runs Roar. Vaporeon's poor Defense means that it will find it difficult to take on powerful physical attackers such as Conkeldurr. Still, the ability to support its team with Wish and sponge special attacks from hard-hitters such as Hydreigon means that Vaporeon will be a very valuable asset to any stall team if used correctly.
Slowbro
Base Stats-95 / 75 / 110 / 100 / 80 / 30
Typing- Water / Psychic
Ability- Oblivious / Own Tempo / Regeneration
Slowbro differentiates itself from other Bulky Water-types with its large Defense stat, unique typing and a fantastic ability in Renegeration. Even though the additional Psychic typing gives Slowbro unwanted weaknesses to Ghost-and Dark-type attacks, it grants a valuable resistance to Fighting-type attacks. Slowbro also has a reliable recovery move in Slack Off, which-in conjuction with Regeneration-will keep Slowbro healthy and enable it to stall out the opponent.
Slowbro has the tools required for the job. It has a good support movepool which includes Thunder Wave, Yawn, Toxic and Slack Off. It can stall out the opponent easily with Toxic and Slack Off, or force switches with Yawn. As far as attacking goes, Slowbro has a usable base 100 Special Attack along with good coverage moves in Surf, Ice Beam, Flamethrower and Focus Blast, allowing it to even check other walls like Ferrothorn and Skarmory.
However, Slowbro's average Special Defense means that it will find it difficult to take powerful special attacks from the likes of Thundurus and Chandelure. Unlesss it runs several coverage moves, Slowbro will also get shut down by Taunt. Still, its fantastic Defense and typing allows Slowbro to be a great check to powerful physical attackers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill.
Deoxys-D
Base Stats-50 / 70 / 160 / 70 / 160 / 90
Typing-Psychic
Ability-Pressure
With huge base Defense and Special Defense stats, a gigantic support movepool and Pressure, Deoxys-D can wall a large number of Pokemon and stall out entire teams, despite being hampered by its poor HP. A support movepool containing but not limited to Taunt, Toxic, Recover, Knock Off and Cosmic Power helps it stall effectively. With Pressure, Deoxys-D can easily deplete the PP of opponents, wearing them down with residual damage in the process.
The biggest problem which Deoxys-D faces is its vulnerability to Taunt. Deoxys-D also does not have the offensive stats to utilize its large offensive movepool. Setup sweepers with access to Taunt such as Thundurus and Gyarados can thus set up easily on Deoxys-D. Deoxys-D's Psychic typing also makes it Pursuit bait. Powerful attackers such as Chandelure can break through Deoxys-D's defenses with their strong STAB attacks. Still, Deoxys-D is one of the best stallers around with its ability, stat distribution and movepool, which merits its use on any stall team.
Wobbuffet
Base Stats- 190 / 33 / 58 / 33 / 58 / 33
Typing-Psychic
Ability-Shadow Tag / Telepathy
Between its stat spread, movepool and unique ability, Wobbuffet can counter (excuse the pun) just about every threat in the metagame. Even though base 58 defenses apiece are nothing to write home about, Wobbuffet's gigantic base HP stat in conjuction with its short but sufficient support movepool consisting of Counter, Mirror Coat, Tickle, Encore and Safeguard, and the ability Shadow Tag make Wobbuffet an extremely annoying Pokemon to face. With its gigantic HP stat, Wobbuffet can switch in a wide range of attacks and promptly revenge kill the opponent. With Tickle and Encore, Wobbuffet can also help a teammate set up, and, once it has switched out, force the opponent to switch.
However, Wobbuffet's biggest weakness is its vulnerability to Taunt. Taunt users such as Thundurus completely shut down Wobbuffet, rendering it useless and forcing it to switch. Powerful attackers such as Chandelure and Darmanitan can also break through Wobbuffet's defenses easily, OHKOing it. Still, Wobbuffet is a welcome addition to any stall team, for with its movepool and ability, it can bog down the opponent and make it extremely difficult to break through your stall.
Quagsire
Base Stats- 95 / 85 / 85 / 65 / 65 / 35
Typing- Water / Ground
Ability- Damp / Water Absorb / Unaware
Quagsire might not have impressive base stats to boast of, but this mudfish has a few tricks up its sleeve. Its ability Unaware makes Quagsire the best check to almost every setup sweeper in the metagame. Access to a reliable recovery move in Recover, along with support options such as Toxic, Curse, and Stockpile helps Quagsire stall out a large number of setup sweepers with ease. Quagsire's Ground typing also gives it a valuable immunity to Electric-type attacks, and just the one weakness to Grass-type attacks. Stockpile makes Quagsire a near-unbreachable fortress that can take hits with consummate ease. Curse, although somewhat unorthodox on a wall, allows Quagsire to boost its Defense to gargantuan proportions and hit the opponent surprisingly hard with its STAB Water- and Ground-type attacks, making Quagsire an effective counter to threats such as Swords Dance Scizor, and Excadrill.
However, the ubiquity of Taunt limits, to an extent, Quagsire's usefulness. Setup sweepers with access to Taunt, such as Thundurus and Gyarados, can use Quagsire as setup bait. Also, Quagsire's average base defensive stats, especially its poor Special Defense, will not allow it to take powerful STAB attacks from the likes of Chandelure and Reuniclus unless it has set up with Stockpile. Still, Quagsire's niche in the metagame, in conjunction with its movepool, makes it a great choice for any stall team.
Chansey
Base Stats- 250 / 5 / 5 / 35 / 105 / 50
Typing- Normal
Ability- Natural Cure / Serene Grace / Healer
When equipped with an Eviolite, Chansey becomes a fantastic mixed wall capable of walling a staggering number of Pokemon. With a gigantic support movepool which includes some unique options such as Heal Bell and Counter, Chansey can perform many different roles in stall teams. In addition to walling special attackers, Chansey can spread paralysis with Thunder Wave, revenge kill physical threats with Counter, and act as a team supporter by running Heal Bell and Wish. Access to Softboiled and Toxic allows Chansey to stall out a wide range of special attackers.
However, Chansey does not have the luxury of holding an item. It can even lose its Eviolite to Trick and Knock Off, making it vulnerable to powerful physical attacks from the likes of Garchomp. Having an atrocious base 35 Special Attack, Chansey cannot utilize its excellent special movepool, and is limited to Seismic Toss for offense. Physical sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill can use even Chansey as setup bait and dispose of it easily, undermining its defensive capabilities. A weakness to common Fighting-type attacks doesn't help, either. Still, the ability to stall out both physical and special attackers alike, in conjunction with its ability to ably support its team makes Chansey an excellent choice for any stall team.
Dusclops
Base Stats- 40 / 70 / 130 / 60 / 130 / 25
Typing- Ghost
Ability- Pressure
Dusclops is yet another pre-evolution which can wall a large number of threats when equipped with an Eviolite. Its poor base 40 HP is made up for by its huge base 130 defenses, and access to Pain Split. Dusclops's Ghost typing grants it valuable immunities to Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, and consequently, many oppurtunities to switch in. It also makes Dusclops a reliable spinblocker. Dusclops's support movepool, which includes Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, Disable, and Pain Split, helps it stall out many offensive threats. Will-O-Wisp helps Dusclops cripple physical attackers, and take physical attacks with even more ease. Toxic, Disable, and Pain Split allow Dusclops to stall out many offensive threats. Even though status-inducing moves such as Toxic cripples Dusclops, it can utlize Rest and Sleep Talk to subdue any thoughts of taking it out with status.
However, Dusclops's poor offensive stats limit it to using Night Shade for offense. Its vulnerability to Taunt means that setup sweepers such as Thundurus can Taunt Dusclops and proceed to set up on it, undermining its defensive capabilities. Dusclops also has to rely upon Pain Split and Rest for recovery, which, at times, might not be reliable. Still, the ability to stall out offensive threats such as Starmie makes Dusclops an excellent choice for any stall team.
Porygon2
Base Stats- 85 / 80 / 90 / 105 / 95 / 90
Typing- Normal
Ability- Trace / Download / Analytic
With the use of an Eviolite, Porygon2's modest defensive stats soar to sky-high levels, allowing it to take a large number of physical and special attacks with ease. Its typing grants it a neutrality to all attacks not of the Fighting-type. Porygon2's wonderful special movepool also allows it to serve as an effective utility counter to a large number of threats in the metagame, including but not limited to Thundurus, Gyarados, Dragonite, and Landorus. All three of Porygon2's abilities are usable, each fulfilling different purposes. While Trace allows Porygon2 to copy massively useful abilities such as Prankster and Magic Guard, Download and Analytic give more bite to its attacks. The latter two are all the more useful when considering the fact that Porygon2 gets excellent neutral coverage with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam.
Porygon2 can both take and deal damage reliably. In conjunction with status moves such as Thunder Wave and Toxic, access to reliable recovery in Recover helps Porygon2 stall out a wide range of Pokemon and support its team ably. However, the Fighting-type weakness that Porygon2 sports will ultimately be its downfall. Immensely powerful Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr, Lucario, and Terrakion can break through Porygon2's boosted defenses with their powerful attacks. Conkeldurr in particular can use Porygon2 as setup bait, setting up with Bulk Up while comfortably taking the cyber duck's attacks with a specially defensive spread. Status such as Toxic can also spell Porygon2's doom, as opposing walls can take its special attacks with ease and stall it out. Still, Porygon2 occupies a unique niche in the metagame. Unlike other walls, Porygon2 cannot be stopped in a hurry by Taunt. It can play the role of a team glue and an effective defensive pivot well, and stop the likes of Gyarados, Dragonite, and Starmie from running away with the game in a hurry.
Tangrowth
Base Stats: 100 / 100 / 125 / 110 / 50 / 50
Typing: Grass
Ability - Chlorophyll / Leaf Guard / Regenerator
With massive Defense, high HP, and Regenerator, Tangrowth is one of the best physical walls in OU. Skarmory and Ferrothorn overshadow Tangrowth with their Steel typing and access to entry hazards, but Tangrowth has access to something which they would kill to get - Sleep Powder. Sleep Powder allows Tangrowth to instantly cripple a Pokemon for the remainder of the match. Tangrowth's Grass typing gives it a very useful resistance to Earthquake, giving it ample oppurtunities to switch in and incapacitate the opponent. Offensively, Tangrowth is no slouch. STAB Power Whip allows it to check a lot of threats. It can also go mixed, running Power Whip along with Hidden Power to hit threats such as Gliscor hard. Regenerator allows it to switch in and out frequently, a boon for any wall.
However, Tangrowth's pitiful base 50 Special Defense and weaknesses to common Fire- and Ice-type attacks will ultimately be its downfall. Powerful special attackers such as Thundurus and Heatran can turn Tangrowth into cat food with their powerful special attacks. Magic Bounce users such as Espeon can also render Tangrowth useless by switching into Sleep Powder. Still, Tangrowth's ability to check powerful physical attackers such as Excadrill, along with its Grass typing, makes it a wonderful choice for any stall team looking for a bulky Grass-type, and a powerful physical wall in general.
Entry Hazards
Entry hazards, such as Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Toxic Spikes, are an essential part of stall. They make it dificult for the opponent to frequently switch and gain momentum, as a full layer of entry hazards will shave off almost half the opponent's health when they enter the field, often putting them in a checkmate position. This is also the reason why spinblockers such as Dusclops and Jellicent are sought after on stall teams. This sub-section will focus on Pokemon which commonly lay down entry hazards.
By Calm Pokemaster and Kevin Garrett
- [jump=Introduction to Stall]Introduction to Stall[/jump]
- [jump=Types of Stall]Types of Stall[/jump]
- [jump=Pokemon to Consider]Pokemon to Consider[/jump]
- [jump=Threats to Stall]Threats to Stall[/jump]
- [jump=A Sample Stall Team]A Sample Stall Team[/jump]
- [jump=Conclusion]Conclusion[/jump]
[a]A Sample Stall Team[/a]
[a]Conclusion[/a]
[a]Introduction to Stall[/a]
Introduction to Stall
Stall, what is it? Basically, stalling is going on the defensive to wear down opponents through indirect means, such as status, entry hazards, and the use of phazing moves. ''The best offense, is defense'' aptly suits this strategy. Stall might not be a cup of tea for many, but if done correctly it can be infinitely frustrating for the opponent to break through your defenses and have any control over the battle, msking it easy for you to secure a win.
There are several types of Stall-Sandstorm Stall and Hail Stall to name a few. Each type has its own strategy, Pokemon and items to consider. Even in today's fast paced metagame with monstrously power setup sweepers such as Swords Dance Garchomp, Sand Throw Excadrill, and Bulk Up Conkeldurr, Stall has found a place along side Hyper Offense and Balanced Teams. [a]Types of Stall[/a]
Types of Stall
As mentioned earlier, there are several types of stall-Sandstorm Stall, Hail Stall and Semi Stall. Weather adds more passive damage, which in addition to entry hazards and status can slowly wear down the opponent. As such, weather teams based on stalling usually have Pokemon immune to the said weather. This section offers a detailed look into each type of stall commonly used in the metagame.
Sandstorm Stall
Sandstorm stall teams are arguably the most common stall teams seen, as sandstorm can easily be set up, and offers a Special Defense boost to Rock-type Pokemon. This type of stall is dependent on sandstorm inducers such as Hippowdon and Tyranitar. These Pokemon also have access to Stealth Rock, making them a great choice for a lead on sand stall teams. As with any stall team, Pokemon such as Ferrothorn and Forretress are common on sand stall teams, since they can lay down entry hazards, and also have an immunity to sandstorm courtesy their Steel typing. However, sandstorm stall teams are vulnerable to offensive rain teams, since most Ground- and Rock-type Pokemon are weak to the boosted Water-type attacks which all rain sweepers tend to carry. As such, keeping one's Sand Stream Pokemon alive is paramount to the success of any sandstorm stall team.
Hail Stall
When done correctly, hail stall can be infinitely frustrating for the opponent. Hail Stall teams commonly use an Abomasnow as a lead to set up permanent Hail. However, it should be noted that offensive Sandstorm teams will destroy Hail Stall teams once Abomasnow is out of the way. Even then, Hail Stall is a potent force, having great defensive Pokemon such as the legendary StallRein. With Ice Body and Leftovers recovering 12% of Walrein's health every turn, Walrein can alternate between Substitute and Protect, quickly wearing down the opponent. Hail Stall teams are rarely mono-Ice teams, and often carry bulky Fighting-type Pokemon such as Conkeldurr and Hariyama to counter the Rock- and Steel-type Pokemon which can pose problems for any Hail team. [a]Pokemon to Consider[/a]
Pokemon to Consider
For any stall team to be succesful, the chosen Pokemon must have excellent synergy, and the ability to combat common offensive threats present in the metagame. As such, randomly picking 6 Pokemon with good defensive stats for a stall team will more often than not produce the wrong results. On basis of their defensive stats, Pokemon are commonly classified into physical walls, special walls and mixed walls. Mixed walls with different EV spreads can be utilised to take on specific threats, which is their main selling point over other specialised walls. Along with walls, Pokemon such as Forretress and Skarmory which lay entry hazards also form an integral part of any stall team.
Walls
Walls perform the function of checking specific offensive threats using their high defensive stats, typing, and movepools. This sub-section will give short overviews of the common walls present in the OU tier.
Skarmory
Base Stats-65 HP / 80 Atk / 140 Def / 40 SpA / 70 SpD / 70 Spe
Typing- Steel / Flying
Ability-Keen Eye / Sturdy / Broken Armor
With its Steel typing and huge base Defense, in addition to an excellent recovery move in Roost, Skarmory is one of the best physical walls present in OU. Skarmory also gained a useful buff to Sturdy, which now acts as a Focus Sash whenever Skarmory is at full health. In a metagame having obscenely powerful physical sweepers such as Garchomp, Haxorus, and Conkeldurr, Skarmory stands out with its ability to tank powerful physical attacks from such Pokemon. It has a reliable STAB move in Brave Bird too, the recoil from which can also be easily healed off with Roost. With its physical bulk, Skarmory can also lay down entry hazards such as Spikes and cause residual damage with Whirlwind, which gives Skarmory the ability to phaze stat boosts and wear down the opponent at an alarming speed. Even in the 5th generation, the infamous ''SkarmBliss' combination can be put to great use, together walling a lot of Pokemon.
However, Skarmory faces a lot of competition from Ferrothorn, who has a much better Special Defense and a noticeably higher Attack stat to go with access to powerful STAB attacks in Gyro Ball and Power Whip. Still, the absence of a 4x weakness to Fire-type attacks, a reliable recovery move in Roost and an invaluable immunity to Ground-type attacks set Skarmory apart from Ferrothorn and other Steel-type walls such as Forretress. Its great physical bulk and support movepool will enable it to fit onto almost any stall team with ease.
Blissey
Base Stats- 255 / 10 / 10 / 75 / 135 / 55
Typing- Normal
Ability- Natural Cure / Serene Grace / Healing Heart
Blissey returns as one of the premier special walls of the 5th generation. This time around, it faces severe competition from none other than Chansey, whose defenses surpass Blissey's with the use of a Eviolite. The main reasons why Blissey should be preferred over Chansey are the abilities to utilise its wide special movepool with a much higher base Special Attack stat and hold an additional recovery item in Leftovers.
With a gigantic support movepool which includes some unique options such as Heal Bell and Counter, Blissey can perform many different roles in stall teams. In addition to walling special attackers, Blissey can spread paralysis with Thunder Wave, revenge kill physical threats with Counter, and act as a team supporter by running Heal Bell and Wish. Access to a reliable recovery move in Softboiled and status moves such as Toxic allows Blissey to stall out a wide range of special attackers. The change in Wish mechanics also allows Blissey to pass gigantic 357 HP Wishes to its teammates. Its wide special movepool, which has moves such as Flamethrower, Thunderbolt and Ice Beam, also helps Blissey to counter specific threats, leaving its opponents guessing as to what moveset Blissey is running.
However, powerful physical sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill can use Blissey as setup bait and dispose of it easily, undermining its defensive capabilities. A weakness to common Fighting-type attacks doesn't help, either. Still, the ability to wall powerful special sweepers such as Chandelure, Hydreigon, and Thundurus, hold Leftovers and utilise its wide special movepool to an extent ensures that Blissey isn't completely outclassed by Chansey, and makes it a great Pokemon to have on a stall team.
Jellicent
Base Stats- 100 / 60 / 70 / 85 / 105 / 60
Typing-Water / Ghost
Ability- Water Absorb / Cursed Body / Damp
In a metagame where bulky Water-types and spin blockers are keenly sought after, Jellicent occupies a niche with the ability to perform both roles effectively. Having an excellent Water / Ghost defensive typing, high HP and Special Defense stats, and a fantastic support movepool, Jellicent performs both roles well. It has two fantastic abilities in Water Absorb and Cursed Body. Water Absorb gives Jellicent many oppurtunities to switch in, especially on Choiced Water-type attacks. On the other hand, Cursed Body gives Jellicent a better chance to stall out threats carrying attacks which hit Jellicent for super effective damage, and can occasionally deprive a sweeper of its coverage move. It also forces mono-attackers to use Struggle, wearing them down very quickly.
Jellicent has a large support movepool which helps it stall out many common threats. Along with reliable recovery in Recover, Jellicent can also inflict status upon the opponent using Will-O-Wisp and Toxic. Will-O-Wisp allows Jellicent to burn hard-hitting physical attackers, helping it take the powerful physical attacks which it normally can't owing to its low base 70 Defense. On the other hand, Toxic forces switches and, along with Recover, helps Jellicent to stall out Pokemon. As far as offense is concerned, Jellicent also has special attacks such as Surf, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam and Energy Ball to whittle down the opponent's HP with. Jellicent also forms an effective defensive combination with Ferrothorn-christened as ''NatGeru''-to rival ''SkarmBliss'' of the previous generations.
Despite giving it resistances to many common attacks, Jellicent's typing makes it weak to Electric- and Dark-type attacks. The latter is all the more worrisome, since it hands Jellicent a crippling weakness to Pursuit from the likes of Tyranitar and Scizor. Jellicent is also setup bait for setup sweepers having access to Taunt. Despite these flaws, Jellicent is one of the most common walls seen on stall teams, and is one Pokemon which every team should be prepared to face.
Ferrothorn
Base Stats- 74 / 94 / 131 / 54 / 116 / 20
Typing- Grass / Steel
Ability- Iron Barbs
Despite facing severe competition from Skarmory as a physical wall in OU, Ferrothorn is one of the most common walls seen on any stall team. Just about every stall team uses the effective NatGeru defensive core, since Ferrothorn and Jellicent cover their weaknesses perfectly. Ferrothorn differentiates itself from other generic physically defensive Steel-types with its fantastic base 116 Special Defense, which allows Ferrothorn to be an effective mixed wall.
With its vast support movepool, Ferrothron can play many different roles in a stall team. It can lay down entry hazards such as Stealth Rock and Spikes, wear down the opponent with Leech Seed and Toxic, or provide paralysis support with Thunder Wave. Even though Ferrothorn does not have an recovery move, it makes up for it somewhat with Leech Seed. With Leech Seed, Toxic, and Iron Barbs, Ferrothorn can very quickly wear down the opponent.
The main problems that plague Ferrothorn are weaknesses to the ever-so-common Fire- and Fighting-type attacks, and the absence of a reliable recovery move. Powerful Fighting-type setup sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Lucario can also switch in and set up on Ferrothorn. Unless it carries both Power Whip and Gyro Ball to significantly damage the foe, Ferothorn will be complete Taunt bait. Still, with its high base defensive stats and unique typing, Ferrothorn can wall many dangerous offensive threats such as Starmie and Gyarados.
Gliscor
Base Stats- 75 / 95 / 125 / 45 / 75 / 95
Typing- Ground / Flying
Ability- Hyper Cutter / Sand Veil / Poison Heal
With a fantastic defensive typing giving it just two weaknesses, and a huge base Defense stat, Gliscor can wall some of the most prominent physical sweepers in OU. Access to slow but continuous recovery in Poison Heal, an immunity to all other forms of status, and the ability to sponge almost all physical attacks with ease make Gliscor extremely annoying to take down.
Gliscor has a good support movepool, with some unique moves such as Counter. With Protect, Gliscor can scout the opponent's move and obtain free recovery, or stall out the opponent with the help of residual damage. It can also further weaken the opponent with STAB Earthquake and Acrobat, or toxicise the foe using Fling. Gliscor's unique typing, which gives it valuable immunities to Electric- and Ground-type attacks, allows it to act as a defensive pivot and force switches.
However, Gliscor's average Special Defense hinders its ability to stall effectively. This is further compounded by the fact that Gliscor has weaknesses to common Water- and Ice-type attacks. Still, a resistance to Fighting-type attacks along with valuable immunities to Electric- and Ground-type attacks gives Gliscor the ability to wall powerful physical sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill.
Vaporeon
Base Stats- 130 / 65 / 60 / 110 / 95 / 60
Typing- Water
Ability- Water Absorb / Hydration
With the change in Wish mechanics, Vaporeon can now pass huge 232 HP Wishes to its teammates, making it an excellent support Pokemon. With its high HP and Special Defense stats, and access to a myriad of support moves, Vaporeon can be a very useful Pokemon on a stall team. Wish, Toxic, and Protect allow Vaporeon to stall out a large number of opponents with ease. Access to Roar allows Vaporeon to phaze opponents and indirectly damage the foe with the help of entry hazards. Scald helps Vaporeon weather powerful physical attacks which it sometimes cannot take owing to its poor Defense. It also has two excellent abilities in Hydration and Water Absorb. Hydration allows Vaporeon to effectively abuse Rest under Rain, while Water Absorb gives it the ability to switch in freely on Water-type attacks.
However, Pokemon having an immunity to Toxic and a reliable recovery move, such as Reuniclus, will use Vaporeon as setup bait unless Vaporeon runs Roar. Vaporeon's poor Defense means that it will find it difficult to take on powerful physical attackers such as Conkeldurr. Still, the ability to support its team with Wish and sponge special attacks from hard-hitters such as Hydreigon means that Vaporeon will be a very valuable asset to any stall team if used correctly.
Slowbro
Base Stats-95 / 75 / 110 / 100 / 80 / 30
Typing- Water / Psychic
Ability- Oblivious / Own Tempo / Regeneration
Slowbro differentiates itself from other Bulky Water-types with its large Defense stat, unique typing and a fantastic ability in Renegeration. Even though the additional Psychic typing gives Slowbro unwanted weaknesses to Ghost-and Dark-type attacks, it grants a valuable resistance to Fighting-type attacks. Slowbro also has a reliable recovery move in Slack Off, which-in conjuction with Regeneration-will keep Slowbro healthy and enable it to stall out the opponent.
Slowbro has the tools required for the job. It has a good support movepool which includes Thunder Wave, Yawn, Toxic and Slack Off. It can stall out the opponent easily with Toxic and Slack Off, or force switches with Yawn. As far as attacking goes, Slowbro has a usable base 100 Special Attack along with good coverage moves in Surf, Ice Beam, Flamethrower and Focus Blast, allowing it to even check other walls like Ferrothorn and Skarmory.
However, Slowbro's average Special Defense means that it will find it difficult to take powerful special attacks from the likes of Thundurus and Chandelure. Unlesss it runs several coverage moves, Slowbro will also get shut down by Taunt. Still, its fantastic Defense and typing allows Slowbro to be a great check to powerful physical attackers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill.
Deoxys-D
Base Stats-50 / 70 / 160 / 70 / 160 / 90
Typing-Psychic
Ability-Pressure
With huge base Defense and Special Defense stats, a gigantic support movepool and Pressure, Deoxys-D can wall a large number of Pokemon and stall out entire teams, despite being hampered by its poor HP. A support movepool containing but not limited to Taunt, Toxic, Recover, Knock Off and Cosmic Power helps it stall effectively. With Pressure, Deoxys-D can easily deplete the PP of opponents, wearing them down with residual damage in the process.
The biggest problem which Deoxys-D faces is its vulnerability to Taunt. Deoxys-D also does not have the offensive stats to utilize its large offensive movepool. Setup sweepers with access to Taunt such as Thundurus and Gyarados can thus set up easily on Deoxys-D. Deoxys-D's Psychic typing also makes it Pursuit bait. Powerful attackers such as Chandelure can break through Deoxys-D's defenses with their strong STAB attacks. Still, Deoxys-D is one of the best stallers around with its ability, stat distribution and movepool, which merits its use on any stall team.
Wobbuffet
Base Stats- 190 / 33 / 58 / 33 / 58 / 33
Typing-Psychic
Ability-Shadow Tag / Telepathy
Between its stat spread, movepool and unique ability, Wobbuffet can counter (excuse the pun) just about every threat in the metagame. Even though base 58 defenses apiece are nothing to write home about, Wobbuffet's gigantic base HP stat in conjuction with its short but sufficient support movepool consisting of Counter, Mirror Coat, Tickle, Encore and Safeguard, and the ability Shadow Tag make Wobbuffet an extremely annoying Pokemon to face. With its gigantic HP stat, Wobbuffet can switch in a wide range of attacks and promptly revenge kill the opponent. With Tickle and Encore, Wobbuffet can also help a teammate set up, and, once it has switched out, force the opponent to switch.
However, Wobbuffet's biggest weakness is its vulnerability to Taunt. Taunt users such as Thundurus completely shut down Wobbuffet, rendering it useless and forcing it to switch. Powerful attackers such as Chandelure and Darmanitan can also break through Wobbuffet's defenses easily, OHKOing it. Still, Wobbuffet is a welcome addition to any stall team, for with its movepool and ability, it can bog down the opponent and make it extremely difficult to break through your stall.
Quagsire
Base Stats- 95 / 85 / 85 / 65 / 65 / 35
Typing- Water / Ground
Ability- Damp / Water Absorb / Unaware
Quagsire might not have impressive base stats to boast of, but this mudfish has a few tricks up its sleeve. Its ability Unaware makes Quagsire the best check to almost every setup sweeper in the metagame. Access to a reliable recovery move in Recover, along with support options such as Toxic, Curse, and Stockpile helps Quagsire stall out a large number of setup sweepers with ease. Quagsire's Ground typing also gives it a valuable immunity to Electric-type attacks, and just the one weakness to Grass-type attacks. Stockpile makes Quagsire a near-unbreachable fortress that can take hits with consummate ease. Curse, although somewhat unorthodox on a wall, allows Quagsire to boost its Defense to gargantuan proportions and hit the opponent surprisingly hard with its STAB Water- and Ground-type attacks, making Quagsire an effective counter to threats such as Swords Dance Scizor, and Excadrill.
However, the ubiquity of Taunt limits, to an extent, Quagsire's usefulness. Setup sweepers with access to Taunt, such as Thundurus and Gyarados, can use Quagsire as setup bait. Also, Quagsire's average base defensive stats, especially its poor Special Defense, will not allow it to take powerful STAB attacks from the likes of Chandelure and Reuniclus unless it has set up with Stockpile. Still, Quagsire's niche in the metagame, in conjunction with its movepool, makes it a great choice for any stall team.
Chansey
Base Stats- 250 / 5 / 5 / 35 / 105 / 50
Typing- Normal
Ability- Natural Cure / Serene Grace / Healer
When equipped with an Eviolite, Chansey becomes a fantastic mixed wall capable of walling a staggering number of Pokemon. With a gigantic support movepool which includes some unique options such as Heal Bell and Counter, Chansey can perform many different roles in stall teams. In addition to walling special attackers, Chansey can spread paralysis with Thunder Wave, revenge kill physical threats with Counter, and act as a team supporter by running Heal Bell and Wish. Access to Softboiled and Toxic allows Chansey to stall out a wide range of special attackers.
However, Chansey does not have the luxury of holding an item. It can even lose its Eviolite to Trick and Knock Off, making it vulnerable to powerful physical attacks from the likes of Garchomp. Having an atrocious base 35 Special Attack, Chansey cannot utilize its excellent special movepool, and is limited to Seismic Toss for offense. Physical sweepers such as Conkeldurr and Excadrill can use even Chansey as setup bait and dispose of it easily, undermining its defensive capabilities. A weakness to common Fighting-type attacks doesn't help, either. Still, the ability to stall out both physical and special attackers alike, in conjunction with its ability to ably support its team makes Chansey an excellent choice for any stall team.
Dusclops
Base Stats- 40 / 70 / 130 / 60 / 130 / 25
Typing- Ghost
Ability- Pressure
Dusclops is yet another pre-evolution which can wall a large number of threats when equipped with an Eviolite. Its poor base 40 HP is made up for by its huge base 130 defenses, and access to Pain Split. Dusclops's Ghost typing grants it valuable immunities to Normal- and Fighting-type attacks, and consequently, many oppurtunities to switch in. It also makes Dusclops a reliable spinblocker. Dusclops's support movepool, which includes Will-O-Wisp, Toxic, Disable, and Pain Split, helps it stall out many offensive threats. Will-O-Wisp helps Dusclops cripple physical attackers, and take physical attacks with even more ease. Toxic, Disable, and Pain Split allow Dusclops to stall out many offensive threats. Even though status-inducing moves such as Toxic cripples Dusclops, it can utlize Rest and Sleep Talk to subdue any thoughts of taking it out with status.
However, Dusclops's poor offensive stats limit it to using Night Shade for offense. Its vulnerability to Taunt means that setup sweepers such as Thundurus can Taunt Dusclops and proceed to set up on it, undermining its defensive capabilities. Dusclops also has to rely upon Pain Split and Rest for recovery, which, at times, might not be reliable. Still, the ability to stall out offensive threats such as Starmie makes Dusclops an excellent choice for any stall team.
Porygon2
Base Stats- 85 / 80 / 90 / 105 / 95 / 90
Typing- Normal
Ability- Trace / Download / Analytic
With the use of an Eviolite, Porygon2's modest defensive stats soar to sky-high levels, allowing it to take a large number of physical and special attacks with ease. Its typing grants it a neutrality to all attacks not of the Fighting-type. Porygon2's wonderful special movepool also allows it to serve as an effective utility counter to a large number of threats in the metagame, including but not limited to Thundurus, Gyarados, Dragonite, and Landorus. All three of Porygon2's abilities are usable, each fulfilling different purposes. While Trace allows Porygon2 to copy massively useful abilities such as Prankster and Magic Guard, Download and Analytic give more bite to its attacks. The latter two are all the more useful when considering the fact that Porygon2 gets excellent neutral coverage with Thunderbolt and Ice Beam.
Porygon2 can both take and deal damage reliably. In conjunction with status moves such as Thunder Wave and Toxic, access to reliable recovery in Recover helps Porygon2 stall out a wide range of Pokemon and support its team ably. However, the Fighting-type weakness that Porygon2 sports will ultimately be its downfall. Immensely powerful Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr, Lucario, and Terrakion can break through Porygon2's boosted defenses with their powerful attacks. Conkeldurr in particular can use Porygon2 as setup bait, setting up with Bulk Up while comfortably taking the cyber duck's attacks with a specially defensive spread. Status such as Toxic can also spell Porygon2's doom, as opposing walls can take its special attacks with ease and stall it out. Still, Porygon2 occupies a unique niche in the metagame. Unlike other walls, Porygon2 cannot be stopped in a hurry by Taunt. It can play the role of a team glue and an effective defensive pivot well, and stop the likes of Gyarados, Dragonite, and Starmie from running away with the game in a hurry.
Tangrowth
Base Stats: 100 / 100 / 125 / 110 / 50 / 50
Typing: Grass
Ability - Chlorophyll / Leaf Guard / Regenerator
With massive Defense, high HP, and Regenerator, Tangrowth is one of the best physical walls in OU. Skarmory and Ferrothorn overshadow Tangrowth with their Steel typing and access to entry hazards, but Tangrowth has access to something which they would kill to get - Sleep Powder. Sleep Powder allows Tangrowth to instantly cripple a Pokemon for the remainder of the match. Tangrowth's Grass typing gives it a very useful resistance to Earthquake, giving it ample oppurtunities to switch in and incapacitate the opponent. Offensively, Tangrowth is no slouch. STAB Power Whip allows it to check a lot of threats. It can also go mixed, running Power Whip along with Hidden Power to hit threats such as Gliscor hard. Regenerator allows it to switch in and out frequently, a boon for any wall.
However, Tangrowth's pitiful base 50 Special Defense and weaknesses to common Fire- and Ice-type attacks will ultimately be its downfall. Powerful special attackers such as Thundurus and Heatran can turn Tangrowth into cat food with their powerful special attacks. Magic Bounce users such as Espeon can also render Tangrowth useless by switching into Sleep Powder. Still, Tangrowth's ability to check powerful physical attackers such as Excadrill, along with its Grass typing, makes it a wonderful choice for any stall team looking for a bulky Grass-type, and a powerful physical wall in general.
Entry Hazards
Entry hazards, such as Spikes, Stealth Rock, and Toxic Spikes, are an essential part of stall. They make it dificult for the opponent to frequently switch and gain momentum, as a full layer of entry hazards will shave off almost half the opponent's health when they enter the field, often putting them in a checkmate position. This is also the reason why spinblockers such as Dusclops and Jellicent are sought after on stall teams. This sub-section will focus on Pokemon which commonly lay down entry hazards.
