Monotype Mandibuzz (Dark)

TheAce22

Banned deucer.
mandibuzz.gif

qc: Scpinion / Eien / Zarif
gp: Eien​

[OVERVIEW]

Dark
========

* Mandibuzz has excellent natural bulk distributed fairly evenly throughout all of its defensive stats, allowing it to be a great defensive pivot and a reliable Defog user.
* Having a Dark / Flying typing allows it to have a neutrality to Fighting- and Bug-type attacks along with an immunity to Ground-type attacks, which are all extremely important for Dark teams. For example, it is a great switch-in to both Heracross and Breloom and ensures Excadrill cannot freely spam Earthquake.
* It functions as the only viable form of entry hazard removal on Dark teams.
* Mandibuzz has great utility options in the form of Foul Play, Taunt, and U-turn. While Foul Play threatens physical setup sweepers and Taunt is a great stallbreaking move, it can also pivot out with U-turn to gain momentum.
* It forms an excellent defensive core along with Tyranitar, as they cover each other's weaknesses fairly well.
* Mandibuzz has reliable recovery in Roost which allows Mandibuzz to be a constant switch-in to threats such as Mega Metagross and Mega Pinsir.
* While it is a defensive Pokemon, it still sits at a pretty decent base 80 speed tier, allowing it to outpace many other walls and Taunt them before they can status it.
* Mandibuzz is fairly dead weight in certain matchups such as against Fairy- or Electric-type teams outside of Defogging.
* Unfortunately, being a Flying-type means that it will have to take 24% to come in when it attempts to Defog.

[SET]

name: Physically Defensive Defogger (Dark)
move 1: Roost
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Defog
move 4: U-turn / Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Roost gives Mandibuzz longevity, allowing it to stall out Pokemon such as Heracross and Excadrill.
* Foul Play takes the role of being Mandibuzz's main STAB move. It allows Mandibuzz to beat setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor and Belly Drum Azumarill, and do solid damage against to common threats such as Mega Metagross.
* Defog allows Mandibuzz to remove entry hazards and allows its teammates to switch in more often with no fear of residual damage, which is great for relieving pressure on Dark's defensive core.
* Mandibuzz has a couple of options for the fourth moveslot. Firstly, it has U-turn, which allows it to pivot out into a strong wallbreaker such as Hoopa-U and gain momentum.
* Secondly, it has Taunt, which can stop slower Pokemon from setting up and shut down common defensive answers such as Celesteela and Porygon2.

Set Details
========

* Overcoat allows Mandibuzz to be unaffected by powder moves, such as Sleep Powder or Spore, and take no residual damage from sand or hail, which let's it ignore the chip damage from Tyranitar's Sand Stream.
* Rocky Helmet is the superior item because it ensures a KO on Belly Drum Azumarill after using Foul Play, although Leftovers is still a decent option to increasing Mandibuzz's longevity even further.
* 248 HP EVs allow Mandibuzz to take one less damage from Stealth Rock.
* 16 Speed EVs allow it to outspeed maximum speed Adamant Azumarill as well as uninvested base 80's including Venusaur.
* The rest of the EVs are dumped into Defense and used with an Impish nature to allow Mandibuzz to tank at least one hit from most physical setup sweepers.

Usage Tips
========

* Mandibuzz should often be switching in on physical attackers such as Mega Metagross that can't 2HKO to fire off a Foul Play, Defog, preserve itself with Roost, or gain momentum with U-turn.
* Mandibuzz should be coming in on physical setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor or Dragonite to immediately threaten them with Foul Play.
* As a key member of Dark's defensive core, it is a prime target for strong Z-moves, so Mandibuzz should use Roost if it can survive the hit, but it switch out otherwise.
* Preserve Mandibuzz in key matchups such as when facing Fighting- or Bug-type teams. While Mandibuzz has solid bulk, it cannot switch into a Mega Pinsir's Frustration or a +2 Hawlucha High Jump Kick.
* Roost whenever possible so that it will be healthy to either Defog again or have the HP to take a setup Pokemon's attack and react with Foul Play.
* Try to keep Mandibuzz safe from poison and burns, since it is often switching in on Stealth Rock already and it doesn't want to be taking unnecessary damage.
* U-turn should be used to safely bring in strong wallbreakers against walls like Porygon2 that enjoy switching into Mandibuzz normally.
* Taunt is extremely helpful for shutting down common counters to Mandibuzz such as Chansey or Celsteela, which are reliant on utility moves.
* Mandibuzz should attempt to switch into predicted Stealth Rock so it can Defog immediately and avoid needing to take damage.

Team Options
========

* Tyranitar and Mandibuzz cover each other's weaknesses well and form a solid defensive core. While Mandibuzz helps out with Tyranitar's Fighting- and Ground-type weaknesses, Tyranitar's great Special Defense stat, which is further bolstered in the sand, helps with Mandibuzz's Electric- and Ice-type weaknesses.
* All Dark-types benefit from its Defogging capabilities as well as it's neutrality to both Fighting- and Bug-type.
* Strong attackers such as Bisharp and Crawdaunt can deal with Pokemon that Mandibuzz without Taunt is fully walled by such as Chansey or Celsteela. Bisharp especially helps against slower Ice- and Rock-types such as Cradily and Piloswine.
* Mega Sableye takes pressure off of Mandibuzz with its immunity to Fighting-type attacks and ability to reflect Stealth Rock and status. If Mandibuzz is using U-turn over Taunt, it could pivot Mega Sableye into an expected Stealth Rock as well. Finally, Mega Sableye functions as a great wincon with Calm Mind, which allows it to set up on and beat many of the defensive Pokemon that switch into Mandibuzz and can cripple or break walls like Chansey that are reliant on their items.
* Weavile especially appreciates Mandibuzz's ability to clear Stealth Rock.
* Alolan Muk and Bisharp both help with Mandibuzz's Fairy weakness tremendously. Alolan Muk specifically is the only switch-in to Magearna, an insanely threatening Pokemon to Dark teams.
* Hoopa-U and Ash-Greninja are both great options to U-turn out into when pivoting. While Choice Band Hoopa-U can break bulky Water-types and fire off Gunk Shots against Fairy-types, Battle Bond Greninja enjoys having extra chances to transform after being pivoted in.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Dark
--------

* While a specially defensive set is a possibility, it is suboptimal when compared to the physically defensive set because Mandibuzz's main role, being a wall that stops physical setup sweepers, is now much harder. Running 248 HP / 108 Special Defense / 136 Defense / 16 Speed will allow it to take 2 Focus Blast's from Landorus, though.
* A more offensive set of Foul Play + Tailwind + U-turn is also a possibility. Mandibuzz will still cover threatening setup sweepers while maintaining switch initiative for its offensive teammates and possibly allowing a late-game sweep. Although this set looks decent on paper, it has a hard time fitting on teams because offensive teams can't afford the loss of momentum to set up this utility, and balance teams prefer Defog support.
* Toxic is an option to cripple walls that try to switch into it; however, Dark teams normally prefer the other utility it offers with Taunt or U-turn.

Checks and Counters
===================

Dark
--------

**Fairy-types**: As with most Dark-types, Mandibuzz badly against Fairy-types that will completely shut it down and take it out easily. For example, Magearna easily switches in against Mandibuzz with the threat of Fleur Cannon and the option of setting up safely.

**Electric-types**: Mandibuzz doesn't have the bulk or damage output to take on Electric-types such as Xurkitree, Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Rotom Wash and usually ends up not even being able to get off a Defog.

**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Alolan Ninetails, Lapras, and Kyurem-B will take it out easily, although it usually can get off a Defog against Avalugg or Mamoswine if needed.

**Rock-types**: Rock teams can take out Mandibuzz extremely easily with strong attackers such as Rhyperior, Alolan Golem, and Tyranitar. Terrakion especially threatens Mandibuzz because of Justified, which will let it take advantage of any attempted Foul Plays.

**Walls**: Pokemon such as Porygon2, Toxapex, and Celesteela will shut down Mandibuzz, and many walls will threaten it with potential status, although using Taunt will allow Mandibuzz to shut down many of these walls.

**Status**: Already being weak to Stealth Rock means being affected by status from Pokemon such as Chansey will wear down Mandibuzz fairly quickly.

**Strong Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Choice Specs Kingdra, Choice Band Diggersby, and Choice Specs Volcanion will have no trouble dealing with Mandibuzz with their powerful STAB attacks.

**Stallbreakers**: Being Taunted often shuts down Mandibuzz, so Pokemon such as Mew and Gliscor are excellent counters. Opposing Mega Sableye's Magic Bounce can even reflect Mandibuzz's own Taunt.

**Strong Special Attackers**: Pokemon such as Greninja, Keldeo, and Mega Charizard Y capitalize on Mandibuzz's weaker Special Defense stat to beat it. Setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Manaphy don't fear anything Mandibuzz can do, allowing them to set up safely against it and threaten to sweep.
 
Last edited:
Nice job, glad you're participating in C&C in SM! :) It looks like a lot, but most of this stuff is just ancillary comments / details. Implement for 1/3.

Also, we're not taking these to full paragraphs, so try to polish up the sentence structure and grammar here in the initial QC stage. Each bullet point needs to be at least one complete sentence. GP will love you for it.

Overview
– Emphasize its typing after discussing its natural bulk. It grants Dark team's a neutrality to two weaknesses, which is important to highlight in a Monotype analysis
– idk if you looked at the old ORAS analysis, but many of the same points from it need to make it into this one. They just need to be written by you and updated to the early SM metagame, so don't c/p. (not saying you did, but that you shouldn't be afraid to make the same points)
– Remove the mention of Skuntank and Honchkrow as defoggers
– Even with the stuff I suggested above, still mention it as a switchin for Hera and Breloom, especially Hera b/c it can threaten Sab.
– Mention that is has a good speed tier for a defensive pokemon

Set/Moves
– Discuss the moves in the order they appear on the set.
– I think the order should be Roost, Foul Play, Defog. Roost first b/c it gives Mandi longevity and lets it check many threats. Foul Play over Defog b/c its role as a defensive wall is more important than its ability to remove hazards.
– Mega Scizor is the target for Foul Play. Mega Metagross is a prominent target too. I think they're far more relevant than Kommo-o and Hawlucha.
– Talk about Defog relieving pressure on Dark's defensive core Mega Sab and Ttar. Ttar is easy to wear down b/c it lacks recovery.
– Talk about Taunt's ability to shut down common defensive answers to Mandi, such as P2 or Celesteela.
– Talk about using Tailwind as Mandibuzz dies to status as a way get Hoopa-U in safely. (you won't have Taunt to stop status)
– Brave Bird is also useful in the Bug matchup.
– Mention U-turn in the moves section, but don't slash it. U-turn is an excellent way to pivot into your wall breakers on more offensive builds, such as Hoopa-U or Greninja.

Set Details
– Specifically mention Ttar when talking about Overcoat.
– Max Def lets it take 1 attack from most physical setup sweepers
– Terrakion is probably clicking SE most of the time b/c Dark doesn't carry a good resist and has two excellent switchins for CC.

Usage Tips
– In general, this is sparse. Talk about the various situations Mandibuzz is useful in when playing Dark and how one should play. At the moment, it is too focused on the hazard game.
– It should switch in on most physical attackers. Even prominent offensive threats, such as Mega Metagross, can't 2HKO Mandibuzz.
– Mandibuzz should switch in on physical setup sweepers, such as Mega Scizor and Dragon Dance Dragonite, to threaten with Foul Play.
– Talk about important matchups where Mandi needs to be preserved or is a wincon. (Fighting, Bug)
– As a key member of Dark's defensive core, Mandibuzz is a likely target for offensive Z-moves. If you suspect the opponent will attempt one to 2HKO Mandibuzz when they couldn't otherwise, either switch out or use Roost.
– Talk about situations where Taunt is useful and how it should be used (denying status or taunting slow set up sweepers).

Team Options
– You need Greninja in here
– Mention Bisharp (and Muk ig? less relevant now that Lele is gone) helping with Mandi's Fairy weakness
– remove the comment about "in the current metagme" when discussing weavile. Just say it is often outclassed by Greninja. (in the event greninja is banned, we'll come through and fix all the analyses that mention it)

OO
– Structure this section so that you're highlighting sets that can work, but don't warrant a full analysis. You also want to highlight what weaknesses these sets introduce.
– Taunt + Toxic lets Mandibuzz stallbreak, but requires it to forego one of Defog or Foul Play.
– Expand upon your mention of a set that supports offensive teams. Tailwind, U-turn, Foul Play. Covers threatening setup sweepers for offensive teams, such as Mega Scizor, while maintaining the switch initiative for Dark's offensive threats and providing opportunities to sweep in the late game.
– Why is a mixed defensive set sub-optimal? Explain it (Mandi checks physical setup sweepers for the team, so it wants physical bulk). If you have a good idea, share what EVs you should run for a special set. (I honestly don't know what set is good for SM?)
– I don't think we need the 52 Speed EV set. Crocune is non existent atm and Rotom vs. Mandi is highly unlikely in the Monotype meta. Anytime Mandi enters the battle vs Electric that is a free switch to Koko or Xurk. Against Water, Grass, or Fire, you should probably fear Trick and moving first isn't gonna help w/ that.

Checks and Counters
– Mention that P2 and Celesteela struggle with Taunt Mandi and are shut down by m-sab.
 
When you use the Dark tags for OO and Checks and Counters, please do:

Dark
--------

Overview:
- Connect its great defenses to why it's such a good defensive pivot and reliable Defogger in the first line.
- I think you can generally just talk about all the moves (not including Roost) at once: It has other good utility in the form of x, y, and z. U-turn to pivot, Foul Play to threaten setup sweepers, and Taunt to stallbreak.
- Include its Ground immunity with the talk about its other resistances.
- The Mega Sableye thing is unnecessary.

Set:
- U-turn is arguably the best 4th move right now, so I'd put it as the first slash to be honest. Taunt is good, but pretty much nothing else should be used. Tailwind is very niche and is worsened by not having U-turn. Brave Bird was meant for Fighting-types, of which very few are in the current metagame anyway. U-turn is used to pivot into one of Dark's many breakers and Taunt lets Mandibuzz sort of wallbreak, which are both much better than what Tailwind or Brave Bird could provide.
- Rocky Helmet is the best item. It's needed to guarantee the suicide KO on Sitrus Berry Azumarill.
- Fixed some formatting too

name: Physically Defensive Defogger (Dark)
move 1: Roost
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Defog
move 4: U-turn / Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe

Moves:
- Specifically mention Belly Drum Azumarill as a setup sweeper that Foul Play beats. Most Dark teams right now have pretty awful Belly Drum Azumarill checks outside of Mandibuzz.
- When talking about Defog, try to focus more on the move. It's important to include what scp said but that shouldn't be the focus. The main point of Defog is to remove entry hazards to allow teammates to switch in and out, make that clear.
- For the 4th move section, drop lines that aren't U-turn or Taunt. Make it clear how useful the pivot from U-turn is.

Set Details:
- Rocky Helmet is the best as I said. With its recoil damage, Foul Play is guaranteed to do deal enough damage to KO Azumarill after it Belly Drums even if it runs Sitrus Berry.

Usage Tips:
- I would remove the line about Stealth Rock hurting your team vs their team. In general, you really do want to be removing entry hazards.
- Just remove that one small bit about Brave Bird.
- Talk about both U-turn and Taunt.
- U-turn should be used to bring in teammates safely against walls like Porygon2 that like to switch into Mandibuzz. Switching into a physical attacker and pivoting out can be a great strategy to gain momentum.
- Taunt should be used against walls like Chansey and Celesteela that carry mainly utility, preventing them from effectively doing anything to Mandibuzz.

Team Options:
- Don't need to mention Sand Stream for Tyranitar. You can sort of talk up its Special Defense more if you want.
- Hoopa-U and Ash-Greninja are two great wallbreakers to bring in with U-turn. Choice Band Hoopa-U can completely break bulky Waters that Mandibuzz is fairly powerless against and can use Gunk Shot to take out Fairy-types. Battle Bond Greninja enjoys having more chances to transform when it's pivoted in by Mandibuzz.
- Don't mention non-Mega Sableye.
- Add that Mega Sableye helps take some pressure off of Mandibuzz, as it checks Fighting-types and can reflect Stealth Rock. As a result, if Mandibuzz uses U-turn over Taunt, it may be useful to U-turn into Mega Sableye when predicting the opponent to want to set up Stealth Rock. Mega Sableye can also serve as a great wincon with Calm Mind, able to set up on and beat many of the defensive Pokemon that switch into Mandibuzz.
- Explain that Alolan Muk is one of the only switch-ins for Magearna. That's a key threat to name specifically.
- Bisharp also checks many slower Ice- and Rock-type Pokemon like Piloswine and Cradily.

Other Options:
- Dropping Defog for Taunt + Toxic is pretty bad. Mega Sableye is perhaps the best stallbreaker in the metagame, so you really don't need to make Mandibuzz one too.
- Mention that while the offensive set is theoretically useful, it has a very hard time fitting onto teams, as offensive teams can rarely afford the loss of momentum to set up this utility and balance teams prefer to have Defog support.

Checks and Counters:
- Don't mention Muk here. Just say that Magearna easily switches into and forces out Mandibuzz with the threat of Fleur Cannon while also being capable of setting up very safely against it.
- Don't need to mention Electric Terrain.
- I'd add special setup sweepers, as none of them fear anything that Mandibuzz can do and can deal serious damage to it. Good examples would be Manaphy and Volcarona.
- Also add stallbreakers. If Mandibuzz is Taunted, it really can't do anything and is forced out. Pokemon like Mew, Gliscor, and Mega Sableye are fantastic counters to Mandibuzz.

Make sure you use complete sentences. I'd recommend reviewing the GP standards as well: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/spelling-and-grammar-standards.3588427/

Good work. QC 2/3
psnqb7S.gif
 
Implemented everything

Eien scpinion While I implemented everything I saved a PB of the analysis b4 Eien's suggestions bcuz u2 contradicted each other pretty severely. While Eien said U-Turn should be first slash scp said it shouldn't even be slashed. so..?

e: ok cool, ready for 3rd QC
 
Last edited:
You have to choose which one of us to forsake. Choose wisely... :P

Just kidding, idc if you slash it. I mostly care that you describe the situations in which U-turn is useful (in moves and usage tips) so the reader can ultimately decide if they want it on their set, which you've done.
 
Moves:
- You're meant to mention the moves as they appear in the set. So the line about Roost should be first, then Foul Play.

Usage Tips:
- Mention how Mandibuzz should switch in to a predicted Stealth Rock to avoid taking damage from Stealth Rock and Defog easier.

Other Options:
- Mention Toxic. It allows Mandibuzz to cripple walls that try to switch into it. However, Mandibuzz would much rather have the moves already in the set to suit Dark-type teams better.

Checks and Counters:
- You really need provide more detail overall. For example on x-types, try to provide more than one example because I don't think Xurkitree is the only Electric-type that beats Mandibuzz.
- Mega Pinsir can be shut down pretty easily through Foul Play. I don't think it really fits under "Strong Wallbreakers".
- Mention "Strong Special attackers" as a group. This would include the likes of Mega Charizard Y, Keldeo, and Greninja. These Pokemon capitalize on Mandibuzz's much weaker Special Defense stat to beat it.

Nicely done, qc 3/3

Not a QC thing but please go over the Spelling and Grammar Standards thread before sending this to GP. There are a few common newbie mistakes in your analysis. Fixing this now before sending it to GP will ease their job n_n
 
add
remove
(comments)
AC = add comma
RC = remove comma
[OVERVIEW]

Dark
========
* Mandibuzz has excellent natural bulk distributed fairly evenly throughout all of its defensive stats, (AC) allowing it to be a great defensive pivot and a reliable Defog user.
* Having a Dark / Flying typing allows it to have a neutrality to Fighting- and Bug-type attacks along with an immunity to Ground-type attacks, which are all extremely important for Dark teams. For example, it is a great switch-in to both Heracross and Breloom and ensures Excadrill cannot freely spam Earthquake.
* It functions as the only viable form of entry hazard removal on Dark teams.
* It Mandibuzz has great utility options in the form of Foul Play, Taunt, and U-turn. While Foul Play threatens physical setup sweepers and Taunt is a great stallbreaking move, it can also pivot out with U-turn to gain momentum.
* It forms an excellent defensive core along with Tyranitar, as they cover each other's weaknesses fairly well.
* It Mandibuzz has reliable recovery in Roost along with Leftovers if used over Rocky Helmet as its item, although Rocky Helmet tends to be the better choice. (My mistake, I remember wanting to remove this in QC but I guess I forgot. This doesn't belong in Overview. Can you add something about why having reliable recovery matters? Just like PM me on Showdown if we're both online)
* While it is a defensive Pokemon, (AC) it still sits at a pretty decent base 80 Speed tier, (AC) . Hitting 80 allows allowing it to outpace many other walls and Taunt them before they can status it.
* It's Mandibuzz is fairly dead weight in certain matchups such as against Fairy- or Electric-type teams, (RC) other than outside of Defogging. On that note it doesn't do anything to help with Dark teams tremendous weakness to Fairy teams. (Another thing: checking Belly Drum Azumarill is actually really helpful.)
* Unfortunately, (AC) being a Flying-type means that it will have to take 24% to come in when it attempts to Defog.

[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Defogger (Dark)
move 1: Roost
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: Defog
move 4: U-turn / Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

* Roost gives Mandibuzz longevity, (AC) thus allowing it to stall out Pokemon such as Heracross or and Excadrill.
* Foul Play takes the role of being Mandibuzz's main STAB move. It allows it Mandibuzz to beat setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor or and Belly Drum Azumarill, (RC) and get off do solid damage against to common threats such as Mega Metagross.
* Defog allows Mandibuzz to remove entry hazards and allows it's its teammates to switch-in switch in more often with no fear of residual damage, (AC) which . This is great for relieving pressure on Dark's defensive core.
* Mandibuzz has a couple of options for the fourth moveslot. Firstly, it has U-turn, (AC) which allows it to pivot out into a strong wallbreaker such as Hoopa-U and gain momentum. Hoopa Unbound which is great for Dark teams since it gives you a ton of momentum.
* Secondly, it has Taunt, (AC) which can stop slower Pokemon from setting up and shut down common defensive answers such as Celesteela or and Porygon2.

Set Details
========

* Overcoat allows Mandibuzz to not be affected be unaffected by any powder moves, (AC) such as Sleep Powder or Spore, (AC) or and take no residual damage from sand or and hail, which lets it ignore the chip damage from . This is great because Mandibuzz won't be taking residual from Tyranitar's Sand Stream.
* Rocky Helmet is the superior item due to because it ensuring the faint on a set up ensures a KO on Belly Drum Azumarill after using Foul Play, although Leftovers is still a decent option to increase Mandibuzz's longevity even further.
* 248 HP EVs allow Mandibuzz to take one less damage from Stealth Rock only take 24% when coming into rocks unlike 25% which will be taken on the switch-in if you run 252.
* 16 Speed EVs allow it to outpace maximum Speed Adamant, (RC) 252 Speed Azumarill as well as uninvested base 80's including Venusaur.
* The rest of the EVs are dumped into Defense along and used with an Impish nature to allow Mandibuzz to tank at least one hit from most physical setup sweepers.

Usage Tips
========

* When playing Mandibuzz it should often be switching in on physical attackers such as Mega Metagross that can't 2HKO it . This will allow it to either fire off a Foul Play, Defog, preserve itself with Roost, or gain momentum with a U-turn.
* Mandibuzz should be coming in on physical setup sweepers such as Mega Scizor or Dragonite to immediately threaten them with Foul Play.
* As a key member of Dark's defensive core, (AC) it is a prime target for strong Z-moves, (AC) so Mandibuzz should use Roost if it can survive the hit, but it should switch out otherwise. If suspected they will try to 2hko you should either go for Roost or switch out.
* Ensure you are preserving Preserve Mandibuzz in key match-ups matchups such as when facing Fighting- or Bug-type teams. While Mandibuzz has solid bulk, that doesn't mean it cannot be switching switch into a Mega Pinsir's Frustration or a +2 Hawlucha's High Jump Kick.
* Roost whenever possible so that you it will be retaining HP healthy to either Defog again or have the HP to take a setup Pokemon's attack and react with Foul Play.
* Try to keep Mandibuzz safe from poison and burns, (AC) since it is often switching in on Stealth Rock already and you don't what it doesn't want to be taking unnecessary damage.
* U-turn should be used to safely bring in strong wallbreakers against walls like Porygon2 that enjoy switching into Mandibuzz normally.
* Taunt is extremely helpful for shutting down common counters to Mandibuzz such as Chansey or Celsteela, (AC) which are reliant on utility moves to beat Mandibuzz.
* Mandibuzz should attempt to switch into predicted Stealth Rock so it can Defog immediately and avoid needing to take damage not have to take 24%.

Team Options
========

* Tyranitar and Mandibuzz cover each other's weaknesses well and form a solid defensive core. While Mandibuzz helps out with Tyranitar's Fighting- and Ground-type weaknesses, Tyranitar's great Special Defense stat, which is further bolstered in the sand, helps with Mandibuzz's Electric- and Ice-type weaknesses due to its great Special Defense stat which is further bolstered in the sand.
* All Dark-types benefit from it's its Defogging capabilities as well as it's neutrality to both Fighting- and Bug-type.
* Strong attackers such as Bisharp and Crawdaunt can deal with Pokemon that Mandibuzz without Taunt is fully walled by such as Chansey or Celsteela. Bisharp especially helps against slower Ice- and Rock-types such as Cradily or and Piloswine.
* Mega Sableye takes pressure off of Mandibuzz with it's its immunity to Fighting-type attacks types and ability to reflect Stealth Rock and status. If your Mandibuzz is using U-turn over Taunt, (AC) you it could pivot out Mega Sableye into an expected Stealth Rock as well. Finally, Mega Sableye functions as a great wincon with Calm Mind, (AC) which allows it to set up on and beat many of the defensive Pokemon that switch into Mandibuzz.
* Weavile especially appreciates Mandibuzz's ability to clear Stealth Rock and can cripple or break walls like Chansey that are reliant on their items.
* Alolan Muk and Bisharp both help out with Mandibuzz's Fairy weakness tremendously. Alolan Muk specifically is the only switch-in to Magearna, an insanely threatening Pokemon to Dark teams.
* Hoopa Unbound and Ash Greninja: Both Hoopa-U and Ash-Greninja are both great options to U-turn out into when pivoting. While Choice Band Hoopa-U Hoopa Unbound can break bulky Water-types and fire off Gunk Shots against Fairy-types, Battle Bond Greninja enjoys having extra chances to transform after being pivoted in.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Dark
--------
* While a specially defensive set is a possibility, it is sub-optimal suboptimal when compared to the physically defensive set because Mandibuzz's main role, being a wall that stops physical set-up (This means sweepers that have already set up. Did you mean setup sweepers?) sweepers, is now much harder. Running 248 HP / 108 Special Defense / 136 Defense / 16 Speed will allow it to take 2 Focus Blast's from Landorus, though.
* A more offensive set of Foul Play + Tailwind + U-turn is also a possibility. It still Mandibuzz will still cover threatening set-up setup sweepers while maintaining the switch initiative of for its offensive teammates Dark teams offensive threats and possibly allowing a sweep late-game (Add hyphen). Although this set looks decent on paper, (AC) it has a hard time fitting on teams because offensive teams can't afford the loss of momentum to set up this utility, (AC) and while balance teams prefer Defog support.
* Toxic is an option to to cripple walls that try to switch into it; (Add Semicolon) however, (AC) Dark teams normally prefer the other utility it offers with Taunt or momentum gain with U-turn.

Checks and Counters
===================

Dark
--------
**Fairy-types**: As with most Dark-types, (AC) Mandibuzz struggles extremely badly against Fairy-types that which will completely shut it down and take it out easily. For example, Magerna easily switches in against Mandibuzz with the threat of Fleur Cannon and the option of setting up safely.

**Electric-types**: Mandibuzz doesn't have the bulk or damage output to take on Electric-types such as Xurkitree, Tapu Koko, Zapdos, and Rotom Wash, (RC) and usually ends up not even being able to get off a Defog.

**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Alolan Ninetails, Laparas, and Kyurem-B Kyurem Black will take it out easily, (AC) although it usually can get off a Defog against Avalugg or Mamoswine, (RC) if needed.

**Rock-types**: Rock teams can take out Mandibuzz extremely easily with strong attackers such as Rhyperior, Alolan Golem, or and Tyranitar. Terrakion especially threatens Mandibuzz because of Justified, (AC) which will let it take advantage of any attempted Foul Plays.

**Walls**: Pokemon such as Porygon2, Toxapex, or and Celesteela will shut down Mandibuzz, (AC) and many walls will threaten it with potential status, (AC) . (Remove Period) although using Taunt will allow Mandibuzz to shut down many of these walls, similary to Mega Sableye's ability to beat these walls. (Not supposed to be here)

**Status**: Already being weak to Stealth Rock means being statused affected by status from Pokemon such as Chansey will wear down Mandibuzz fairly quickly although Mega Sableye can attempt to block status.

**Strong Wallbreakers**: Pokemon such as Choice Specs Kingdra, Choice Band Diggersby, and Choice Specs Volcanion will have no trouble dealing with Mandibuzz with their powerful STAB attacks.

**Stallbreakers**: Being Taunted often shuts down Mandibuzz, (AC) so Pokemon such as Mew and Gliscor are excellent counters. Opposing Mega Sableye's Magic Bounce can even reflect Mandibuzz's own Taunt. Mega Sableye is as well due to Magic Bounce.

**Special Setup Sweepers**: They Special setup sweepers, such as Volcarona and Manaphy, (AC) don't fear anything Mandibuzz can do while dealing serious damage to it and threatening your its entire team. Some examples are Volcarona and Manaphy.

**Strong Speical Special Attackers**: Pokemon such as Greninja, Keldeo, and Mega Charizard Y capatilize capitalize on Mandibuzz's weaker Special Defense stat to beat it. Setup sweepers such as Volcarona and Manaphy don't fear anything Mandibuzz can do, allowing them to set up safely against it and threaten to sweep.
GP 1/1
G8UQTpu.png
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top