[SET]
Defensive Pivot (Lanturn) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb / Water Absorb
Tera Type: Dragon / Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch / Flip Turn
- Scald / Discharge
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
[SET COMMENTS]
Excellent bulk and defensive abilities let Lanturn shine as a specially defensive pivot that takes advantage of special attackers like Charizard, Typhlosion, and opposing Lanturn. Volt Switch generates momentum and doesn't trigger contact effects from Rocky Helmet. Flip Turn is a slightly weaker pivoting option with the trade-off of working against Jolteon, opposing Lanturn with Volt Absorb, and Ground-types like Sandaconda and Palossand. Scald should always be run alongside Volt Switch; Lanturn uses it to threaten Pokemon that would block Volt Switch and burn physical attackers such as Hisuian Decidueye and Virizion that might try to switch in. Discharge pairs with Flip Turn and has the added benefit of spreading paralysis to punish setup sweepers and faster Pokemon such as Oricorio formes, Whimsicott, and Mesprit. Lanturn appreciates Discharge not forcing it to switch out when attacking Pokemon weak to Electric such as Cramorant and Oricorio-G. Rest is Lanturn's best method of recovery, and Sleep Talk helps Lanturn be less passive while it's asleep. Heavy-Duty Boots is especially helpful, as Lanturn pivots in frequently. Volt Absorb lets Lanturn reliably answer Electric-types such as Jolteon, Magneton, and Vikavolt. Water Absorb is an option for Lanturn to thwart Water-type attacks from Qwilfish and Floatzel, but Lanturn answers fewer specially offensive Water-types beyond Clawitzer compared to Electric-types. Tera Dragon gives Lanturn few weaknesses as it enhances Lanturn's capacity to answer special attackers with super effective coverage such as Typhlosion and Charizard. Tera Fairy has similarly helpful benefits, especially against Hisuian Decidueye, Whimsicott, and Alolan Exeggutor. A specially defensive EV spread lets Lanturn reliably answer strong special attackers like Charizard, Typhlosion, and Clawitzer.
Many other pivots form great cores with Lanturn thanks to the momentum they provide for teams. Mesprit covers Lanturn's Ground weakness with Levitate and threatens Hisuian Decidueye. Grafaiai and Qwilfish can offensively threaten Grass-types with their Poison-type STAB moves, and they appreciate Lanturn taking on Jolteon and Magneton. Whimsicott can threaten Grass-types like Brute Bonnet, Hisuian Decidueye, and Virizion as well as Ground-types like Sandaconda and Palossand. Hisuian Decidueye scares out Ground-types and threatens bulky Normal-types like Porygon2 and Snorlax. Other Poison-types like Hisuian Qwilfish and Weezing can check problematic Grass-types like Brute Bonnet and Virizion, and they benefit from Lanturn bringing them in safely while wearing down these targets. Strong wallbreakers like Typhlosion, Glastrier, and Brute Bonnet gain more opportunities to tear open holes in foes thanks to Lanturn's pivoting. Lanturn inviting in specially bulky Normal-type Pokemon such as Porygon2, Snorlax, and Dudunsparce can benefit Fighting-type partners such as Virizion and Hitmonlee. Lanturn is especially appreciative of partners like Charizard, Oricorio-G, and Sneasel that threaten Grass-types that would pressure it, and it can return the favor by checking Electric-types for Charizard and Oricorio-G and Fire-types for Sneasel. Fire-weak Pokemon like Hisuian Decidueye and Orthworm especially benefit from Lanturn as a stopgap to Charizard and Typhlosion, and they match Lanturn's help by defensively answering Ground-types like Sandaconda and Sandslash. Water-types like Floatzel and Cramorant are a pain for Typhlosion and Charizard, so they can depend on Lanturn to handle these troublesome Pokemon for them, especially if Lanturn runs Water Absorb to deny Flip Turn from Floatzel and Qwilfish.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lanturn can use Tera Flying to remove its Ground weakness and more comfortably answer defensive Sandaconda and Sandslash, though this set should always use Volt Absorb to still check Electric-types. Lanturn could use Thunder Wave for more reliable paralysis spreading, but it cannot make room for Thunder Wave without its moveset leaving it extremely passive. Leftovers is an alternative to Heavy-Duty Boots to extend Lanturn's longevity and make it less dependent on Rest for recovery, opening up options for different moves; Protect synergizes with Leftovers and allows Lanturn to scout attacks from Choice item users like Typhlosion and Mesprit, and Ice Beam leaves Lanturn less passive against Whimsicott and Dipplin. However, Lanturn will be more easily worn down by entry hazards as a pivot without Heavy-Duty Boots.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Lanturn's defensive coverage limits it from dealing significant damage to Grass-types, most of which threaten it super effectively. Swords Dance Hisuian Decidueye, Virizion, and Dipplin can use Lanturn as a chance to set up, though they should be wary of potential status. Brute Bonnet and Whimsicott can use Lanturn as an opportunity to switch in, but they're also challenged by status; Brute Bonnet especially dislikes burns, while Whimsicott is particularly hindered by paralysis. Slow and specially offensive Pokemon such as Alolan Exeggutor, Appletun, and Arboliva are the least impaired by Lanturn's status spreading. Shaymin can annoy Lanturn repeatedly and rely on Natural Cure to clear any status it takes from Lanturn.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Lanturn's passivity means it often doesn't do much other than threaten to status specially defensive Pokemon, though many cannot prevent it from pivoting out. If Porygon2 gains the right ability with Trace, it can prevent Lanturn from pivoting depending on which pivot move it runs. Calm Mind Dudunsparce and Curse Snorlax can use Lanturn as a chance to set up, though paralysis can irritate Dudunsparce, and burns will force Snorlax to become more passive through Rest. Frosmoth can use Substitute to safely set up on Lanturn, and it's greatly enabled if Lanturn is forced to Rest.
**Ground-types and Ground-type Coverage**: A Ground weakness can leave Lanturn offensively overwhelmed by Sandslash in spite of its bulk. Ground-types like Palossand and Sandaconda can beat Lanturn one-on-one if it lacks Scald, but they can't absorb its Flip Turn. Choice Specs Typhlosion can 3HKO Lanturn with Scorching Sands, but it will almost never switch into Lanturn. Charizard can only 4HKO Lanturn with Scorching Sands, but it can rely on prior damage and Lanturn's passivity to put it in a bad position.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flampoke.654091/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Defensive Pivot (Lanturn) @ Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Volt Absorb / Water Absorb
Tera Type: Dragon / Fairy
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Calm Nature
- Volt Switch / Flip Turn
- Scald / Discharge
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
[SET COMMENTS]
Excellent bulk and defensive abilities let Lanturn shine as a specially defensive pivot that takes advantage of special attackers like Charizard, Typhlosion, and opposing Lanturn. Volt Switch generates momentum and doesn't trigger contact effects from Rocky Helmet. Flip Turn is a slightly weaker pivoting option with the trade-off of working against Jolteon, opposing Lanturn with Volt Absorb, and Ground-types like Sandaconda and Palossand. Scald should always be run alongside Volt Switch; Lanturn uses it to threaten Pokemon that would block Volt Switch and burn physical attackers such as Hisuian Decidueye and Virizion that might try to switch in. Discharge pairs with Flip Turn and has the added benefit of spreading paralysis to punish setup sweepers and faster Pokemon such as Oricorio formes, Whimsicott, and Mesprit. Lanturn appreciates Discharge not forcing it to switch out when attacking Pokemon weak to Electric such as Cramorant and Oricorio-G. Rest is Lanturn's best method of recovery, and Sleep Talk helps Lanturn be less passive while it's asleep. Heavy-Duty Boots is especially helpful, as Lanturn pivots in frequently. Volt Absorb lets Lanturn reliably answer Electric-types such as Jolteon, Magneton, and Vikavolt. Water Absorb is an option for Lanturn to thwart Water-type attacks from Qwilfish and Floatzel, but Lanturn answers fewer specially offensive Water-types beyond Clawitzer compared to Electric-types. Tera Dragon gives Lanturn few weaknesses as it enhances Lanturn's capacity to answer special attackers with super effective coverage such as Typhlosion and Charizard. Tera Fairy has similarly helpful benefits, especially against Hisuian Decidueye, Whimsicott, and Alolan Exeggutor. A specially defensive EV spread lets Lanturn reliably answer strong special attackers like Charizard, Typhlosion, and Clawitzer.
Many other pivots form great cores with Lanturn thanks to the momentum they provide for teams. Mesprit covers Lanturn's Ground weakness with Levitate and threatens Hisuian Decidueye. Grafaiai and Qwilfish can offensively threaten Grass-types with their Poison-type STAB moves, and they appreciate Lanturn taking on Jolteon and Magneton. Whimsicott can threaten Grass-types like Brute Bonnet, Hisuian Decidueye, and Virizion as well as Ground-types like Sandaconda and Palossand. Hisuian Decidueye scares out Ground-types and threatens bulky Normal-types like Porygon2 and Snorlax. Other Poison-types like Hisuian Qwilfish and Weezing can check problematic Grass-types like Brute Bonnet and Virizion, and they benefit from Lanturn bringing them in safely while wearing down these targets. Strong wallbreakers like Typhlosion, Glastrier, and Brute Bonnet gain more opportunities to tear open holes in foes thanks to Lanturn's pivoting. Lanturn inviting in specially bulky Normal-type Pokemon such as Porygon2, Snorlax, and Dudunsparce can benefit Fighting-type partners such as Virizion and Hitmonlee. Lanturn is especially appreciative of partners like Charizard, Oricorio-G, and Sneasel that threaten Grass-types that would pressure it, and it can return the favor by checking Electric-types for Charizard and Oricorio-G and Fire-types for Sneasel. Fire-weak Pokemon like Hisuian Decidueye and Orthworm especially benefit from Lanturn as a stopgap to Charizard and Typhlosion, and they match Lanturn's help by defensively answering Ground-types like Sandaconda and Sandslash. Water-types like Floatzel and Cramorant are a pain for Typhlosion and Charizard, so they can depend on Lanturn to handle these troublesome Pokemon for them, especially if Lanturn runs Water Absorb to deny Flip Turn from Floatzel and Qwilfish.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Lanturn can use Tera Flying to remove its Ground weakness and more comfortably answer defensive Sandaconda and Sandslash, though this set should always use Volt Absorb to still check Electric-types. Lanturn could use Thunder Wave for more reliable paralysis spreading, but it cannot make room for Thunder Wave without its moveset leaving it extremely passive. Leftovers is an alternative to Heavy-Duty Boots to extend Lanturn's longevity and make it less dependent on Rest for recovery, opening up options for different moves; Protect synergizes with Leftovers and allows Lanturn to scout attacks from Choice item users like Typhlosion and Mesprit, and Ice Beam leaves Lanturn less passive against Whimsicott and Dipplin. However, Lanturn will be more easily worn down by entry hazards as a pivot without Heavy-Duty Boots.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Lanturn's defensive coverage limits it from dealing significant damage to Grass-types, most of which threaten it super effectively. Swords Dance Hisuian Decidueye, Virizion, and Dipplin can use Lanturn as a chance to set up, though they should be wary of potential status. Brute Bonnet and Whimsicott can use Lanturn as an opportunity to switch in, but they're also challenged by status; Brute Bonnet especially dislikes burns, while Whimsicott is particularly hindered by paralysis. Slow and specially offensive Pokemon such as Alolan Exeggutor, Appletun, and Arboliva are the least impaired by Lanturn's status spreading. Shaymin can annoy Lanturn repeatedly and rely on Natural Cure to clear any status it takes from Lanturn.
**Specially Bulky Pokemon**: Lanturn's passivity means it often doesn't do much other than threaten to status specially defensive Pokemon, though many cannot prevent it from pivoting out. If Porygon2 gains the right ability with Trace, it can prevent Lanturn from pivoting depending on which pivot move it runs. Calm Mind Dudunsparce and Curse Snorlax can use Lanturn as a chance to set up, though paralysis can irritate Dudunsparce, and burns will force Snorlax to become more passive through Rest. Frosmoth can use Substitute to safely set up on Lanturn, and it's greatly enabled if Lanturn is forced to Rest.
**Ground-types and Ground-type Coverage**: A Ground weakness can leave Lanturn offensively overwhelmed by Sandslash in spite of its bulk. Ground-types like Palossand and Sandaconda can beat Lanturn one-on-one if it lacks Scald, but they can't absorb its Flip Turn. Choice Specs Typhlosion can 3HKO Lanturn with Scorching Sands, but it will almost never switch into Lanturn. Charizard can only 4HKO Lanturn with Scorching Sands, but it can rely on prior damage and Lanturn's passivity to put it in a bad position.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/missangelic.452572/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/flampoke.654091/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/sleid.601970/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/
Last edited by a moderator:
