[OVERVIEW]
Dragon
========
Kommo-o is one of Dragon's best setup sweepers due to its custom omni-boosting Z-Move Clangorous Soulblaze, great STAB combination in Dragon and Fighting, and very solid coverage options, which is especially helpful against types that Dragon would normally struggle breaking, such as Normal, Steel, Rock, and Ice. Because Kommo-o has such an expansive movepool, it can function as either a physical or special setup sweeper, making its moveset harder to predict at Team Preview. Kommo-o's defensive stats are just as solid as its offensive stats, often allowing it to take most hits before proceeding to use its Z-Move against teams that lack a Fairy-type Pokemon. It can usually set up on slower presences on types like Fire, Steel, and Bug, with examples being Heatran and Armaldo, respectively. With a Fighting-type STAB move in Close Combat, Kommo-o assists Dragon in breaking past bulkier cores such as Chansey + Porygon2, which is rather handy considering that Dragon teams do not have a Knock Off user that can remove the Eviolites from both of them. Solid coverage options like Flash Cannon, Flamethrower, and Poison Jab help in checking Fairy- and Steel-types that Dragon-types would normally struggle to break, like Clefable, Mega Diancie, and Mega Scizor. Kommo-o's unique typing provides extra resistances to Bug- and Rock-type moves, as no other Dragon-type resists Bug-type moves such as Scizor's U-turn, and Garchomp is the only Dragon-type besides Kommo-o that resists Rock-type moves, like Tyranitar's Stone Edge. However, Kommo-o's unique typing, while beneficial, also makes it weak to more common typings in the tier such as Fairy and Psychic, which comes with offensive threats like Mew, Mega Diancie, and Mega Gardevoir. Fairy-types in general hinder Kommo-o in the sense that they resist or are immune to both of its STAB types, prevent Kommo-o from using its custom Z-Move, and can all OHKO Kommo-o if they have a STAB move. Furthermore, Kommo-o's Speed is rather lackluster compared to most other Dragon-types, at base 85, leaving Kommo-o vulnerable to faster setup sweepers like Porygon-Z and Mega Charizard X before a Speed boost and Choice Scarf users such as Greninja and Latios after. Because Kommo-o heavily relies on its Z-Move to act as a setup sweeper, it rarely uses any other item besides Kommonium Z.
[SET]
name: Mixed Setup Sweeper (Dragon)
move 1: Clanging Scales
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Kommonium Z
ability: Soundproof
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Clanging Scales is Kommo-o's most reliable STAB move and is required to use Clangorous Soulblaze, Kommo-o's custom Z-Move. Clanging Scales also allows Kommo-o to damage Pokemon such as Suicune through their Substitutes. Close Combat helps Dragon teams check bulky Steel- and Normal-types, such as Heatran, Chansey, Stakataka, and Porygon2. Flamethrower is used against Steel-types that are neutral to Close Combat, such as Skarmory and Mega Scizor. Flash Cannon acts as an important move that allows Kommo-o to threaten and soft check slower Rock- and Fairy-types like Clefable and Armaldo.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed allows Kommo-o to hit as hard as possible with its powerful attacks while being as fast as possible. The remaining 4 EVs are placed into Attack to slightly boost the power of Close Combat. A Naive nature allows Kommo-o to naturally outspeed Mamoswine, Buzzwole, and Heatran, and at +1 Speed, it can outspeed the likes of Mega Lopunny and Mega Aerodactyl. Soundproof is used primarily to prevent opposing Kommo-o from using Clangorous Soulblaze, and it also prevents Ditto from utilizing Clanging Scales after copying Kommo-o's boosts. However, it also has smaller merits in being unaffected by Volcarona's Bug Buzz, Mega Gardevoir's Hyper Voice, and Azumarill's Perish Song. Kommonium Z is the required Z-Crystal in order to use Clangorous Soulblaze and gain a boost in each stat.
Usage Tips
========
Use Clangorous Soulblaze only in situations where you know that it will be safe to use, such as picking up a KO or in situations where you can force the opponent to switch, with one example being when the foe is Choice locked into a move that Kommo-o resists like Dark Pulse from Greninja or V-create from Victini. It can also be used against foes that are solely a utility role to opposing teams, such as Forretress. As long as they do not carry a status-inflicting move such as Thunder Wave, then it is usually safe to launch Clangorous Soulblaze. Avoid using Clangorous Soulblaze against opposing Kommo-o and Ditto, as they become immune to it because of Soundproof, and in turn, Kommo-o won't receive stat boosts. Also, avoid using Clangorous Soulblaze when the opponent has a Fairy-type, such as Azumarill on Water or Mega Diancie on Rock, as they can easily switch into the move and prevent any potential stat boosts. Be cautious of the drops to Kommo-o's defenses that it suffers from using its STAB moves; overusage of Kommo-o's STAB moves will leave it vulnerable to faster physical attackers as well as priority users that will take advantage of Kommo-o's lowered Defense stat such as Diggersby and Dragonite. Conserve Kommo-o by taking as little damage from entry hazards as possible, especially against Ice and Normal teams, where it is your primary wincon. Avoid status conditions as much as possible, especially paralysis, as Kommo-o's Speed is needed in order to function as a setup sweeper. Also, be wary of Haze users like Mantine as well as phazers like Hippowdon when Kommo-o has set up, as they get rid of Kommo-o's boosts and turn it into much less of a threat. Kommo-o is very difficult to set up with against Normal teams, as priority moves from Diggersby and Mega Lopunny chip away at it, Staraptor disrupts the power of Close Combat by lowering Kommo-o's Attack, Chansey walls all of Kommo-o's special options, and Ditto can utilize Kommo-o's omniboost against it and its teammates. By removing offensive threats in Diggersby, Mega Lopunny, and Ditto, Kommo-o is able to set up and sweep against Normal teams much more easily and safely.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Latios is an ideal partner, as it acts as Dragon's main form of keeping faster foes such as Hydreigon and opposing Latios in check. It is also a consistent Defogger that can threaten bulkier walls that Kommo-o can't easily break even after setting up, such as Toxapex. Kyurem-B checks Dragon-types like Mega Altaria and Flying-types like Landorus-T while also providing a neutrality to Ice-type moves that Kommo-o appreciates. In return, Kommo-o covers Kyurem-B's crippling Steel-type weakness. Garchomp provides Stealth Rock support, which allows Kommo-o to sweep teams more easily by providing solid chip damage to Pokemon that have the capacity to threaten Kommo-o offensively, such as Mega Pinsir, Volcarona, and Kingdra. Garchomp's Stealth Rock can also break a foe's Focus Sash or Sturdy as well as put foes in range of a KO from one of Kommo-o's attacks. Dragonite is another of Dragon's wallbreakers, being able to fire off a powerful Choice Band-boosted Outrage while also having Dragon's best priority move in Extreme Speed that can revenge kill faster threats such as Greninja. Hydreigon helps Kommo-o against Psychic teams that would otherwise threaten it, whether it be through firing off Dark Pulse or pivoting out with U-turn to keep up offensive momentum. In return, Kommo-o helps to check Bug-type Choice Scarf users such as Heracross and Buzzwole that would otherwise force Hydreigon out. Latias can be used as a substitute for Latios, acting as a bulkier Defogger that also provides Healing Wish support, granting Kommo-o extra longevity if it's weakened early. By doing so, Kommo-o can be given more opportunities to set up against the opposing team and sweep them, especially late-game. In return, Kommo-o helps to eliminate Dark-types outside of Mega Sableye. Mega Latias provides support by helping to break down bulkier special walls more reliably, notably Celesteela and Mantine. It also heavily aids in the Normal matchup by setting up with Calm Minds on Staraptor and Porygon2, recoveirng off any damage, and breaking down the defensive backbone of Normal teams through Stored Power. Mega Altaria is another key teammate, providing an immunity to opposing Dragon-types and firing back with a Pixilate-boosted Return. It also threatens Dark-types like Mega Sableye that are immune to Kommo-o's Fighting-type STAB option as well as Psychic-types such as Mega Gallade that naturally pressure Kommo-o, and it can also set up with Dragon Dance to be able to threaten Normal-types such as Chansey and Mega Lopunny. In return, Kommo-o helps break down Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance (Dragon)
move 1: Clanging Scales
move 2: Dragon Dance
move 3: Close Combat / Earthquake
move 4: Earthquake / Poison Jab
item: Kommonium Z
ability: Soundproof
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Clanging Scales is used to gain the stat boosts from Clangorous Soulblaze. Its solid special power also allows it to break down physically defensive foes such as Avalugg, Pelipper, and Landorus-T. Dragon Dance amplifies Kommo-o's offensive presence by boosting both its Attack and Speed stats. Boosting both of these stats not only allows Kommo-o to function better as a setup sweeper without having to utilize Clangorous Soulblaze prematurely but can also help to check offensive threats like Greninja, which would be harder to handle otherwise. Close Combat is Kommo-o's best physical STAB move, being able to break down bulky walls such as Ferrothorn, Porygon2, and Cradily. Earthquake acts as a coverage option against other foes that don't resist it, namely Victini, Jirachi, Klefki, and Toxapex. Poison Jab hits Fairy-types that resist both of Kommo-o's STAB moves, namely Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Azumarill.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack allows Kommo-o to maximize its physical power at base value. Maximum investment in Speed paired with a Naive nature allow Kommo-o to Speed tie with other base 85 Speed foes, such as Nidoking and Heracross, and to outspeed Mega Lopunny and Mega Alakazam at +1. Kommonium Z is required in order to use Clangorous Soulblaze, which allows Kommo-o to receive its stat boosts. Soundproof is used primarily to prevent opposing Kommo-o from using Clangorous Soulblaze and also prevent Ditto from utilizing Clanging Scales after copying Kommo-o's boosts.
Usage Tips
========
Dragon Dance Kommo-o primarily assists Dragon teams against Normal teams, as its Fighting-type STAB move is extremely beneficial for breaking down Normal teams' notorious defensive backbone. In these cases, use Dragon Dance in the face of Chansey, as it forces the opponent into a defensive option while also providing Kommo-o with a free turn of setup. Never use Clangorous Soulblaze too early unless the matchup is heavily skewed in Dragon's favor, such as against Fire and Grass teams. Otherwise, you must find opportunities to use Clangorous Soulblaze safely, such as when the foe is weakened or Choice-locked into a move that Kommo-o resists. Instances of these cases include using Clangorous Soulblaze on Greninja that's Choice-locked into Dark Pulse or Victini that's Choice-locked into V-create. Avoid using Clangorous Soulblaze against opposing Kommo-o and Ditto, as they become immune to it because of Soundproof, and in turn, Kommo-o won't receive stat boosts. Also, avoid using the Z-Move against healthy Fairy-types, such as Tapu Bulu on Grass and Mimikyu on Ghost, as they can easily switch into the move and prevent any potential stat boost. Use Dragon Dance in situations where Kommo-o faces a Pokemon with mainly utility options, such as Ferrothorn or Forretress. These kinds of foes typically do not run a status-inducing move and therefore make it safer to apply offensive pressure to the foes while taking minimal damage from their attacks. Physical Kommo-o can't take a chance at sweeping teams if it is statused, so avoid taking hits that could inflict those conditions, such as Scald, Discharge, and Sludge Bomb. By removing foes such as Mega Pinsir on Bug teams, Toxapex and Mantine on Water teams, and Ditto and Staraptor on Normal teams, it becomes much easier for Kommo-o to act as a very deadly late-game sweeper through setting up with Dragon Dance or utilizing its Z-Move, as the opponent would have no clear way to prevent it at this point.
Team Options
========
Latias is a fantastic partner for Kommo-o, being able to Defog entry hazards away and provide Healing Wish support to give Kommo-o a second chance at sweeping teams if it ever is weakened. Mega Latias overall has great bulk that it can use to sponge hits for Kommo-o and can also recover off the damage through Roost. Latios provides similar assistance by also removing hazards with Defog. Unlike Latias, however, Latios takes a more offensive approach to Kommo-o's setup by hindering walls and utility Pokemon with Trick and also using Memento on offensive powerhouses such as Excadrill and Blacephalon, decreasing the damage Kommo-o takes and enabling Kommo-o to set up more reliably while also threatening to remove an offensive presence. Kyurem-B offers a neutrality to Ice that all Dragon-types appreciate and also threatens physically defensive foes that Kommo-o can't break as easily, such as Skarmory and Zapdos. Hydreigon checks offensive Psychic-types that would otherwise threaten Kommo-o, such as Mew and Alakazam. Garchomp provides Stealth Rock support that breaks Sturdy and Focus Sashes on Pokemon like Skarmory, Gengar, and Dugtrio and provides valuable chip damage against foes that typically don't utilize a recovery option, such as Dragonite and Gyarados. Stealth Rock also provides residual damage that can put foes in range of a KO from Kommo-o, which is especially useful in late-game scenarios. Mega Altaria provides a Dragon immunity with its additional Fairy typing and can force Choice-locked Dragon-types like Latios and Hydreigon out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Earthquake on mixed Kommo-o is an option that would be used in tandem with Close Combat and Flamethrower to very heavily pressure Steel teams. It also checks Toxapex in a one-on-one scenario, but this isn't as necessary considering that teammates like Latios, Kyurem-B, and Garchomp work as fine checks in their own right. Additionally, the combination of Scald burns and Haze eliminate any chances Kommo-o would have of breaking Toxapex with Earthquake at all. Drain Punch can act as a substitute to Close Combat on Dragon Dance variants of Kommo-o, as it exchanges power for reliable recovery without dropping its defenses. However, Drain Punch misses out on more potential 2HKOs, namely Porygon2 and Celesteela, due to its severe drop in power compared to Close Combat. Bulletproof can be used over Soundproof as a bluffing option, which would lure in opposing Ditto looking to block Clanging Scales or Clangorous Soulblaze, while also providing extra niche immunities to specific moves such as Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball. However, these extra immunities aren't as valuable compared to what Soundproof offers, and they enable opposing Kommo-o and Ditto to take advantage of the lack of Soundproof once discovered.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dragon
--------
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie can outspeed Kommo-o prior to it boosting with either Dragon Dance or Clangorous Soulblaze and immediately OHKO it while being immune to its Z-Move. Likewise, bulkier Fairy-types such as Klefki can also take advantage of Kommo-o by setting up dual screens and entry hazards or crippling it with Thunder Wave or Toxic.
**Mimikyu**: Mimikyu is especially threatening, as its unique typing makes it immune to both of Kommo-o's STAB moves, it protects itself from one offensive move due to Disguise, and it will immediately OHKO Kommo-o with Play Rough even through a Defense boost.
**Haze Users and Phazers**: Common Haze users like Toxapex and Mantine as well as bulky Whirlwind and Roar users like Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Swampert can force Kommo-o out, causing it to lose its stat boosts and softening its offensive pressure.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Alakazam, Latios, Latias, and Mega Gallade can take advantage of Kommo-o's lower Speed and heavily damage or even KO it with powerful Psychic moves.
**Faster Threats**: Choice Scarf users such as Greninja and Latios, opposing Dragon-types such as Mega Altaria and Hydreigon, or other setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Flyinium Z Landorus-T, and Mewnium Z Mew can threaten Kommo-o once they are set up. However, the latter usually must set up first before attacking and does not appreciate being hit by Kommo-o's powerful attacks.
**Status and Residual Damage**: Status conditions such as paralysis and burns greatly inhibit Kommo-o's ability to act as a setup sweeper, so avoid bulkier foes or Prankster users that can inflict these conditions, such as Sableye and Klefki. Also, any bit of residual damage from entry hazards or status set a timer on Kommo-o, and it must stay healthy in order to have the best possible chances at sweeping teams.
Dragon
========
Kommo-o is one of Dragon's best setup sweepers due to its custom omni-boosting Z-Move Clangorous Soulblaze, great STAB combination in Dragon and Fighting, and very solid coverage options, which is especially helpful against types that Dragon would normally struggle breaking, such as Normal, Steel, Rock, and Ice. Because Kommo-o has such an expansive movepool, it can function as either a physical or special setup sweeper, making its moveset harder to predict at Team Preview. Kommo-o's defensive stats are just as solid as its offensive stats, often allowing it to take most hits before proceeding to use its Z-Move against teams that lack a Fairy-type Pokemon. It can usually set up on slower presences on types like Fire, Steel, and Bug, with examples being Heatran and Armaldo, respectively. With a Fighting-type STAB move in Close Combat, Kommo-o assists Dragon in breaking past bulkier cores such as Chansey + Porygon2, which is rather handy considering that Dragon teams do not have a Knock Off user that can remove the Eviolites from both of them. Solid coverage options like Flash Cannon, Flamethrower, and Poison Jab help in checking Fairy- and Steel-types that Dragon-types would normally struggle to break, like Clefable, Mega Diancie, and Mega Scizor. Kommo-o's unique typing provides extra resistances to Bug- and Rock-type moves, as no other Dragon-type resists Bug-type moves such as Scizor's U-turn, and Garchomp is the only Dragon-type besides Kommo-o that resists Rock-type moves, like Tyranitar's Stone Edge. However, Kommo-o's unique typing, while beneficial, also makes it weak to more common typings in the tier such as Fairy and Psychic, which comes with offensive threats like Mew, Mega Diancie, and Mega Gardevoir. Fairy-types in general hinder Kommo-o in the sense that they resist or are immune to both of its STAB types, prevent Kommo-o from using its custom Z-Move, and can all OHKO Kommo-o if they have a STAB move. Furthermore, Kommo-o's Speed is rather lackluster compared to most other Dragon-types, at base 85, leaving Kommo-o vulnerable to faster setup sweepers like Porygon-Z and Mega Charizard X before a Speed boost and Choice Scarf users such as Greninja and Latios after. Because Kommo-o heavily relies on its Z-Move to act as a setup sweeper, it rarely uses any other item besides Kommonium Z.
[SET]
name: Mixed Setup Sweeper (Dragon)
move 1: Clanging Scales
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Flamethrower
move 4: Flash Cannon
item: Kommonium Z
ability: Soundproof
nature: Naive
evs: 4 Atk / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Clanging Scales is Kommo-o's most reliable STAB move and is required to use Clangorous Soulblaze, Kommo-o's custom Z-Move. Clanging Scales also allows Kommo-o to damage Pokemon such as Suicune through their Substitutes. Close Combat helps Dragon teams check bulky Steel- and Normal-types, such as Heatran, Chansey, Stakataka, and Porygon2. Flamethrower is used against Steel-types that are neutral to Close Combat, such as Skarmory and Mega Scizor. Flash Cannon acts as an important move that allows Kommo-o to threaten and soft check slower Rock- and Fairy-types like Clefable and Armaldo.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Attack and Speed allows Kommo-o to hit as hard as possible with its powerful attacks while being as fast as possible. The remaining 4 EVs are placed into Attack to slightly boost the power of Close Combat. A Naive nature allows Kommo-o to naturally outspeed Mamoswine, Buzzwole, and Heatran, and at +1 Speed, it can outspeed the likes of Mega Lopunny and Mega Aerodactyl. Soundproof is used primarily to prevent opposing Kommo-o from using Clangorous Soulblaze, and it also prevents Ditto from utilizing Clanging Scales after copying Kommo-o's boosts. However, it also has smaller merits in being unaffected by Volcarona's Bug Buzz, Mega Gardevoir's Hyper Voice, and Azumarill's Perish Song. Kommonium Z is the required Z-Crystal in order to use Clangorous Soulblaze and gain a boost in each stat.
Usage Tips
========
Use Clangorous Soulblaze only in situations where you know that it will be safe to use, such as picking up a KO or in situations where you can force the opponent to switch, with one example being when the foe is Choice locked into a move that Kommo-o resists like Dark Pulse from Greninja or V-create from Victini. It can also be used against foes that are solely a utility role to opposing teams, such as Forretress. As long as they do not carry a status-inflicting move such as Thunder Wave, then it is usually safe to launch Clangorous Soulblaze. Avoid using Clangorous Soulblaze against opposing Kommo-o and Ditto, as they become immune to it because of Soundproof, and in turn, Kommo-o won't receive stat boosts. Also, avoid using Clangorous Soulblaze when the opponent has a Fairy-type, such as Azumarill on Water or Mega Diancie on Rock, as they can easily switch into the move and prevent any potential stat boosts. Be cautious of the drops to Kommo-o's defenses that it suffers from using its STAB moves; overusage of Kommo-o's STAB moves will leave it vulnerable to faster physical attackers as well as priority users that will take advantage of Kommo-o's lowered Defense stat such as Diggersby and Dragonite. Conserve Kommo-o by taking as little damage from entry hazards as possible, especially against Ice and Normal teams, where it is your primary wincon. Avoid status conditions as much as possible, especially paralysis, as Kommo-o's Speed is needed in order to function as a setup sweeper. Also, be wary of Haze users like Mantine as well as phazers like Hippowdon when Kommo-o has set up, as they get rid of Kommo-o's boosts and turn it into much less of a threat. Kommo-o is very difficult to set up with against Normal teams, as priority moves from Diggersby and Mega Lopunny chip away at it, Staraptor disrupts the power of Close Combat by lowering Kommo-o's Attack, Chansey walls all of Kommo-o's special options, and Ditto can utilize Kommo-o's omniboost against it and its teammates. By removing offensive threats in Diggersby, Mega Lopunny, and Ditto, Kommo-o is able to set up and sweep against Normal teams much more easily and safely.
Team Options
========
Choice Scarf Latios is an ideal partner, as it acts as Dragon's main form of keeping faster foes such as Hydreigon and opposing Latios in check. It is also a consistent Defogger that can threaten bulkier walls that Kommo-o can't easily break even after setting up, such as Toxapex. Kyurem-B checks Dragon-types like Mega Altaria and Flying-types like Landorus-T while also providing a neutrality to Ice-type moves that Kommo-o appreciates. In return, Kommo-o covers Kyurem-B's crippling Steel-type weakness. Garchomp provides Stealth Rock support, which allows Kommo-o to sweep teams more easily by providing solid chip damage to Pokemon that have the capacity to threaten Kommo-o offensively, such as Mega Pinsir, Volcarona, and Kingdra. Garchomp's Stealth Rock can also break a foe's Focus Sash or Sturdy as well as put foes in range of a KO from one of Kommo-o's attacks. Dragonite is another of Dragon's wallbreakers, being able to fire off a powerful Choice Band-boosted Outrage while also having Dragon's best priority move in Extreme Speed that can revenge kill faster threats such as Greninja. Hydreigon helps Kommo-o against Psychic teams that would otherwise threaten it, whether it be through firing off Dark Pulse or pivoting out with U-turn to keep up offensive momentum. In return, Kommo-o helps to check Bug-type Choice Scarf users such as Heracross and Buzzwole that would otherwise force Hydreigon out. Latias can be used as a substitute for Latios, acting as a bulkier Defogger that also provides Healing Wish support, granting Kommo-o extra longevity if it's weakened early. By doing so, Kommo-o can be given more opportunities to set up against the opposing team and sweep them, especially late-game. In return, Kommo-o helps to eliminate Dark-types outside of Mega Sableye. Mega Latias provides support by helping to break down bulkier special walls more reliably, notably Celesteela and Mantine. It also heavily aids in the Normal matchup by setting up with Calm Minds on Staraptor and Porygon2, recoveirng off any damage, and breaking down the defensive backbone of Normal teams through Stored Power. Mega Altaria is another key teammate, providing an immunity to opposing Dragon-types and firing back with a Pixilate-boosted Return. It also threatens Dark-types like Mega Sableye that are immune to Kommo-o's Fighting-type STAB option as well as Psychic-types such as Mega Gallade that naturally pressure Kommo-o, and it can also set up with Dragon Dance to be able to threaten Normal-types such as Chansey and Mega Lopunny. In return, Kommo-o helps break down Steel-types such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor.
[SET]
name: Dragon Dance (Dragon)
move 1: Clanging Scales
move 2: Dragon Dance
move 3: Close Combat / Earthquake
move 4: Earthquake / Poison Jab
item: Kommonium Z
ability: Soundproof
nature: Naive
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Clanging Scales is used to gain the stat boosts from Clangorous Soulblaze. Its solid special power also allows it to break down physically defensive foes such as Avalugg, Pelipper, and Landorus-T. Dragon Dance amplifies Kommo-o's offensive presence by boosting both its Attack and Speed stats. Boosting both of these stats not only allows Kommo-o to function better as a setup sweeper without having to utilize Clangorous Soulblaze prematurely but can also help to check offensive threats like Greninja, which would be harder to handle otherwise. Close Combat is Kommo-o's best physical STAB move, being able to break down bulky walls such as Ferrothorn, Porygon2, and Cradily. Earthquake acts as a coverage option against other foes that don't resist it, namely Victini, Jirachi, Klefki, and Toxapex. Poison Jab hits Fairy-types that resist both of Kommo-o's STAB moves, namely Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Azumarill.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Attack allows Kommo-o to maximize its physical power at base value. Maximum investment in Speed paired with a Naive nature allow Kommo-o to Speed tie with other base 85 Speed foes, such as Nidoking and Heracross, and to outspeed Mega Lopunny and Mega Alakazam at +1. Kommonium Z is required in order to use Clangorous Soulblaze, which allows Kommo-o to receive its stat boosts. Soundproof is used primarily to prevent opposing Kommo-o from using Clangorous Soulblaze and also prevent Ditto from utilizing Clanging Scales after copying Kommo-o's boosts.
Usage Tips
========
Dragon Dance Kommo-o primarily assists Dragon teams against Normal teams, as its Fighting-type STAB move is extremely beneficial for breaking down Normal teams' notorious defensive backbone. In these cases, use Dragon Dance in the face of Chansey, as it forces the opponent into a defensive option while also providing Kommo-o with a free turn of setup. Never use Clangorous Soulblaze too early unless the matchup is heavily skewed in Dragon's favor, such as against Fire and Grass teams. Otherwise, you must find opportunities to use Clangorous Soulblaze safely, such as when the foe is weakened or Choice-locked into a move that Kommo-o resists. Instances of these cases include using Clangorous Soulblaze on Greninja that's Choice-locked into Dark Pulse or Victini that's Choice-locked into V-create. Avoid using Clangorous Soulblaze against opposing Kommo-o and Ditto, as they become immune to it because of Soundproof, and in turn, Kommo-o won't receive stat boosts. Also, avoid using the Z-Move against healthy Fairy-types, such as Tapu Bulu on Grass and Mimikyu on Ghost, as they can easily switch into the move and prevent any potential stat boost. Use Dragon Dance in situations where Kommo-o faces a Pokemon with mainly utility options, such as Ferrothorn or Forretress. These kinds of foes typically do not run a status-inducing move and therefore make it safer to apply offensive pressure to the foes while taking minimal damage from their attacks. Physical Kommo-o can't take a chance at sweeping teams if it is statused, so avoid taking hits that could inflict those conditions, such as Scald, Discharge, and Sludge Bomb. By removing foes such as Mega Pinsir on Bug teams, Toxapex and Mantine on Water teams, and Ditto and Staraptor on Normal teams, it becomes much easier for Kommo-o to act as a very deadly late-game sweeper through setting up with Dragon Dance or utilizing its Z-Move, as the opponent would have no clear way to prevent it at this point.
Team Options
========
Latias is a fantastic partner for Kommo-o, being able to Defog entry hazards away and provide Healing Wish support to give Kommo-o a second chance at sweeping teams if it ever is weakened. Mega Latias overall has great bulk that it can use to sponge hits for Kommo-o and can also recover off the damage through Roost. Latios provides similar assistance by also removing hazards with Defog. Unlike Latias, however, Latios takes a more offensive approach to Kommo-o's setup by hindering walls and utility Pokemon with Trick and also using Memento on offensive powerhouses such as Excadrill and Blacephalon, decreasing the damage Kommo-o takes and enabling Kommo-o to set up more reliably while also threatening to remove an offensive presence. Kyurem-B offers a neutrality to Ice that all Dragon-types appreciate and also threatens physically defensive foes that Kommo-o can't break as easily, such as Skarmory and Zapdos. Hydreigon checks offensive Psychic-types that would otherwise threaten Kommo-o, such as Mew and Alakazam. Garchomp provides Stealth Rock support that breaks Sturdy and Focus Sashes on Pokemon like Skarmory, Gengar, and Dugtrio and provides valuable chip damage against foes that typically don't utilize a recovery option, such as Dragonite and Gyarados. Stealth Rock also provides residual damage that can put foes in range of a KO from Kommo-o, which is especially useful in late-game scenarios. Mega Altaria provides a Dragon immunity with its additional Fairy typing and can force Choice-locked Dragon-types like Latios and Hydreigon out.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Earthquake on mixed Kommo-o is an option that would be used in tandem with Close Combat and Flamethrower to very heavily pressure Steel teams. It also checks Toxapex in a one-on-one scenario, but this isn't as necessary considering that teammates like Latios, Kyurem-B, and Garchomp work as fine checks in their own right. Additionally, the combination of Scald burns and Haze eliminate any chances Kommo-o would have of breaking Toxapex with Earthquake at all. Drain Punch can act as a substitute to Close Combat on Dragon Dance variants of Kommo-o, as it exchanges power for reliable recovery without dropping its defenses. However, Drain Punch misses out on more potential 2HKOs, namely Porygon2 and Celesteela, due to its severe drop in power compared to Close Combat. Bulletproof can be used over Soundproof as a bluffing option, which would lure in opposing Ditto looking to block Clanging Scales or Clangorous Soulblaze, while also providing extra niche immunities to specific moves such as Sludge Bomb and Shadow Ball. However, these extra immunities aren't as valuable compared to what Soundproof offers, and they enable opposing Kommo-o and Ditto to take advantage of the lack of Soundproof once discovered.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dragon
--------
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Tapu Koko and Mega Diancie can outspeed Kommo-o prior to it boosting with either Dragon Dance or Clangorous Soulblaze and immediately OHKO it while being immune to its Z-Move. Likewise, bulkier Fairy-types such as Klefki can also take advantage of Kommo-o by setting up dual screens and entry hazards or crippling it with Thunder Wave or Toxic.
**Mimikyu**: Mimikyu is especially threatening, as its unique typing makes it immune to both of Kommo-o's STAB moves, it protects itself from one offensive move due to Disguise, and it will immediately OHKO Kommo-o with Play Rough even through a Defense boost.
**Haze Users and Phazers**: Common Haze users like Toxapex and Mantine as well as bulky Whirlwind and Roar users like Hippowdon, Skarmory, and Swampert can force Kommo-o out, causing it to lose its stat boosts and softening its offensive pressure.
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types like Alakazam, Latios, Latias, and Mega Gallade can take advantage of Kommo-o's lower Speed and heavily damage or even KO it with powerful Psychic moves.
**Faster Threats**: Choice Scarf users such as Greninja and Latios, opposing Dragon-types such as Mega Altaria and Hydreigon, or other setup sweepers like Mega Charizard X, Flyinium Z Landorus-T, and Mewnium Z Mew can threaten Kommo-o once they are set up. However, the latter usually must set up first before attacking and does not appreciate being hit by Kommo-o's powerful attacks.
**Status and Residual Damage**: Status conditions such as paralysis and burns greatly inhibit Kommo-o's ability to act as a setup sweeper, so avoid bulkier foes or Prankster users that can inflict these conditions, such as Sableye and Klefki. Also, any bit of residual damage from entry hazards or status set a timer on Kommo-o, and it must stay healthy in order to have the best possible chances at sweeping teams.
Last edited:
