Machop [QC 0/3]

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Black Hokage

Black Hokage

[OVERVIEW]
  • Machop has a small niche being the only Pokemon with access to No Guard and Dynamic Punch, in addition to its decent Attack stat.
  • Unfortunately Machop is outclassed by other Fighting-types such as Timburr and Mienfoo.
  • Since Mienfoo is faster, has U-turn and access to Regenerator, while Timburr is powerful and more bulkier, furthermore Machop is a very one dimensional Pokemon.
  • Having to run Choice Scarf in order to abuse Dynamic Punch effectively.
  • Even then, there are plenty of pokemon that resist Dynamic Punch and can easily switch into Machop, such as Slowpoke, Spritzee and Snubbull.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Dynamic Punch
move 2: Knock Off
move 3: Rock Slide / Close Combat
move 4: Poison Jab
item: Choice Scarf
ability: No Guard
nature: Jolly
evs: 36 HP / 196 Atk / 36 Def / 236 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Dynamic Punch is a powerful Fighting-type STAB move that also always confuses, and thanks to No Guard, will never miss.
  • Knock Off is a good coverage move to go up against Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Gastly and Abra which are both prone to be OHKOed. Knock Off also has great utility for crippling switch-ins, Alongside being able to remove Pokemon's items.
  • Rock Slide can deal with Flying-types, which are very problematic for Machop and common in the meta.
  • In addition to Rock Slide having a chance to OHKO Rufflet after Stealth Rock, and also having a chance to 2HKO Vullaby after Stealth Rock. Rock Slide also has the possibility to flinch the opposing Pokemon.
  • Close Combat is an alternative to Rock Slide because its much stronger and gives you 16 pp in Fighting-type moves.
  • Poison Jab allows Machop to go up against Fairy-types and has a chance to OHKO Cottonee.

Set Details
========
  • Choice Scarf is a necessity, and with the support of Jolly, will raise Machops Speed to 21, allowing Machop to outspeed the entire unboosted metagame.
  • No Guard will allow Machop to hit at 100% accuracy when using Dynamic Punch, Rock slide will also benefits from No Guard.
  • The EV spread maximizes Machops Attack and Speed along with an increase in its bulk, allowing Machop to hit harder, outspeed threats, and survive a few hits.
  • In addition Machop has a guaranteed 2HKO on Corphish after Stealth Rock, and has a chance to 2HKO Vullaby after Stealth Rock.


Usage Tips
========
  • Machop suffers against Fairy-, Flying-, and Psychic-types, and should be switched out when threats such as Vullaby and Abra comes into play.
  • Knock Off should be used early on in the game, in order to cripple opposing Pokemon, and remove Pokemon items. In addition to being a great coverage, when predicting a Psychic- or Ghost-type switch-in.
  • However if you mispredict and end up being locked into the wrong coverage move, this will allow the opponent to set up on weak Choice Scarf attacks.
  • Also be wary of how much you use Dynamic Punch, as it only has 8PP, and is not easily spammable.
  • Furthermore Machop is quite frail and doesn't do so well against direct attacks, so switching Machop into attacks isn't a good idea.


Team Options
========
  • Flying-types is a immediate threat to Machop, especially in this current meta, where they're extremely common, and because of this, Steel-types such as Pawniard and Ferroseed are great partners since Pawniard resist Flying-types and Ferroseed takes neutral damage.
  • In addition they're both good hazard setters, with this in mind setting up hazards on the opposing side will give Machop good momentum when attacking.
  • Magnemite is also a great Steel-type partner for Machop, because it resist Flying-type moves and has the ability Sturdy allowing it to survive a Jump Kick from Doduo, or a Superpower from Rufflet, and still be able to Pivot with Volt switch or counterattack with Thunderbolt.
  • Fairy-types is a threat to Machop as well, as they resist its Fighting-type STAB and can easily OHKO it. So having a bulky Poison-type pokemon such as Foongus or mareanie will be reliable when facing off against Fairy-types.
  • Furthermore Dark-types such as Alolan Grimer and Vullaby are great are when going up against Psychic- and Ghost-types, which pose a threat to Machop.


[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • An Eviolite set, potentially with Bulk Up, is an option since Eviolite will increase Machops bulk, in addition to the possibility of Machop setting up with Bulk Up.
  • However this is unlikely since Machop will be slow, and possibly getting OHKOed before having a chance to set up.
  • A Berry Juice set with Bullet Punch is another option, because Machop will be able to survive a hit and have access to Priority, Unfortunately Machop will still be frail, and will easily be taken down after Berry Juice has been activated.

Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Doduo and Pikipek resist Machop's Fighting-type STAB moves, and can easily OHKO Machop with their powerful STAB moves.

**Faster Attackers**: Faster Pokemon can be an issue for Machop, though Choice Scarf Machop is fast and reaches 21 speed, threats such as Doduo and gastly still outspeed it.

**Status**: Machop doesn't do well against being Burned, Paralyzed and Poisoned. Since Burn will cut Machops attack, Paralysis will lower its speed, and Poison will chip its health.

**Bulky Pokemon**: Machop can is easily be walled by Bulky Pokemon such as Slowpoke and Spritzee, making it hard for Machop to attack effectively.

**Ghost-types**: Though they have to be wary of Knock Off. Ghost types are Immune to Machops Fighting-type STAB; In addition to Gastly having a chance to OHKO Machop with Shadow Ball and Honedge having a guaranteed 2HKO on Machop when using Iron Head.
 
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