I'll be taking Dragonite
Done
QC [2/2] GP [1/1]
Overview
A great movepool with options such as Dragon Dance, Extreme Speed, and Earthquake makes Dragonite an excellent sweeper and revenge killer. Access to Multiscale pre-Mega Evolution as well as good bulk allows Dragonite to set up relatively safely, which further improves its excellent Attack stat. Dragonite's decent Dragon / Flying typing gives it STAB on Aerilate Extreme Speed and lets it take on top metagame picks like Golisopod and Primal Groudon. On top of that, Dragonite's many coverage options let it bypass any given answer. However, Dragonite's mediocre Speed leaves much to be desired before boosting, even with Extreme Speed's priority, and a 4x weakness to Ice forces it to switch out against the likes of Weavile and support Arceus. It also often has just too little power, leaving a bit short of crucial KOs and giving it difficulty wallbreaking.
Extreme Speed Sweeper
Dragonite @ Pinsirite
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Return / Stone Edge
Set Comments
Moves
Extreme Speed gives Dragonite a powerful, Aerilate-boosted priority STAB move with which to clean and revenge kill. Dragon Dance lets Dragonite boost its Attack and Speed, turning it into a powerful sweeper and letting it pick off Pokemon with its coverage. Earthquake hits the Rock-, Electric-, and Steel-type Pokemon that resist Flying attacks such as Arceus-Rock and Magearna for super effective damage. Return is a more powerful STAB move that gives Dragonite some crucial KOs at +1, such as on Garchomp and Xerneas. Stone Edge, meanwhile, hits Zapdos and other Flying-type Pokemon for super effective damage, stopping them from blocking a sweep.
Set Details
Pinsirite gives Dragonite the ability Aerilate and useful boosts to Attack and Speed, making it the best Mega Stone for Dragonite to hold. Multiscale allows Dragonite to safely set up before Mega Evolving as long as it is at full health, while Aerilate turns Dragonite's Normal-types moves into Flying-type and boosts their power, giving Dragonite a pair of highly spammable STAB moves in Return and Extreme Speed with which to sweep. 252 Speed EVs and a Jolly Nature make Dragonite as fast as possible, allowing it to Speed tie with other Dragonite and outspeed Absolite Darkrai, Tapu Koko, and Geomancy Xerneas at +1 Speed. The 252 Attack EVs maximize Dragonite's damage output, making it hit as hard as possible. An Adamant nature is another option to make Dragonite even stronger and harder to switch into but generally isn't worth the loss in Speed.
Usage Tips
Dragonite is best saved for late game where it can sweep weakened teams after a Dragon Dance boost. However, don't be afraid to use it before then; it isn't worthwhile to sacrifice important team members to revenge KO Pokemon like Pheromosa when Dragonite could do it without even taking damage. Keep Stealth Rock off the field whenever possible so that Dragonite can take advantage of any opportunities to safely set up and sweep. Even at low HP, however, Dragonite can be an extremely threatening sweeper, so don't write it off after a bit of damage.
Team Options
Defoggers such as support Arceus, Zapdos, and Skarmory are extremely handy to keep multiscale intact for a sweep and to let Dragonite switch more easily After Mega Evolving. Meanwhile, entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-S, Primal Groudon, and Blissey are also useful to gain key KOs on Pokemon such as Lunala while pressuring switch-ins like Zapdos. Other Aerilate Pokemon, such as Zygarde and Cobalion, are handy to wear down shared checks and counters and potentially overwhelm them. Ice type switchins such as Arceus-Water, Suicune, and Scizor are also good teammates, as they can come in on those attacks for Dragonite. Pivot Pokemon such as Zapdos, Pheromosa, and Tapu Koko are also useful to safely bring Dragonite in on pokemon it beats; it shouldn't switch in on even resisted hits, as they still break Multiscale.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Salamencite is a perfectly viable replacement to Pinsirite, particularly on teams that already have two Pinsirite Pokemon, but provides somewhat worse stat boosts. While the bulk may be helpful in living hits post-Mega Evolution or for setting up more, the additional Attack is generally more important. A bulky set with Roost over Return can allow Dragonite to grab multiple boosts with the protection of Multiscale but has less overall utility. Various coverage options such as Thunder Punch for Pinsirite Steel-types, Thunder for Skarmory, or Superpower to OHKO Arceus-Rock are all decent options, but they are generally inferior to the moves listed above. Should bulky support Pokemon be an issue, Facade is an option to turn burns from a crippling blow into a benefit, but it is much less powerful than Return if Dragonite is not statused. Outrage is a secondary powerful STAB move that can pick off many Pokemon but is usually redundant coverage alongside Flying and allows Fairy-type Pokemon to trap Dragonite and KO it; Dragon Claw may also be used, but while it doesn't lock yDragonite into it, it also loses most of Outrage's benefits. Protect is a niche option that lets Dragonite sweep even through Weavile but has no other use and only allows for a 50/50.
Checks and Counters
Bulky Flying-Resistant Pokemon: Pokemon such as Zapdos, Pinsirite Steel-types, and Arceus-Rock can take Dragonite's Aerilate attacks and its coverage before crippling or KOing it in return.
Ice-type Attacks: Ice-type attacks from Pokemon such as Kyurem, Weavile, and support Arceus hit Dragonite 4x super effectively, dealing heavy damage or KOing even through Multiscale.
Stealth Rock: Stealth Rock negates Multiscale, decreasing Dragonite's setup chances significantly. In the mid-game, it also prevents Dragonite from freely revenge killing, and may make it prey for faster Extreme Speed users such as Zygarde.
Bulky Tanks: Extremely bulky Pokemon, such as Suicune, Mandibuzz, Lugia and Yveltal, can take Dragonite's hits and retaliate with their own attacks, whittling down Dragonite or taking it out with Foul Play. While the lack of resistance hurts switch-in chances, these Pokemon can switch in anyway if need be.
Faster Fairy Types: Psychic Terrain blocks priority, aiding Tapu Lele's teammates and giving it opportunities to switch in, while it can hit Dragonite extremely hard with a STAB Moonblast. Xerneas, meanwhile, can outspeed Dragonite with a Choice Scarf and OHKO it with Moonblast, while Tapu Koko resists Extreme Speed and can bluff Pinsirite or pivot to a better answer.
Done
QC [2/2] GP [1/1]
Overview
A great movepool with options such as Dragon Dance, Extreme Speed, and Earthquake makes Dragonite an excellent sweeper and revenge killer. Access to Multiscale pre-Mega Evolution as well as good bulk allows Dragonite to set up relatively safely, which further improves its excellent Attack stat. Dragonite's decent Dragon / Flying typing gives it STAB on Aerilate Extreme Speed and lets it take on top metagame picks like Golisopod and Primal Groudon. On top of that, Dragonite's many coverage options let it bypass any given answer. However, Dragonite's mediocre Speed leaves much to be desired before boosting, even with Extreme Speed's priority, and a 4x weakness to Ice forces it to switch out against the likes of Weavile and support Arceus. It also often has just too little power, leaving a bit short of crucial KOs and giving it difficulty wallbreaking.
Extreme Speed Sweeper
Dragonite @ Pinsirite
Ability: Multiscale
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature / Adamant Nature
- Extreme Speed
- Dragon Dance
- Earthquake
- Return / Stone Edge
Set Comments
Moves
Extreme Speed gives Dragonite a powerful, Aerilate-boosted priority STAB move with which to clean and revenge kill. Dragon Dance lets Dragonite boost its Attack and Speed, turning it into a powerful sweeper and letting it pick off Pokemon with its coverage. Earthquake hits the Rock-, Electric-, and Steel-type Pokemon that resist Flying attacks such as Arceus-Rock and Magearna for super effective damage. Return is a more powerful STAB move that gives Dragonite some crucial KOs at +1, such as on Garchomp and Xerneas. Stone Edge, meanwhile, hits Zapdos and other Flying-type Pokemon for super effective damage, stopping them from blocking a sweep.
Set Details
Pinsirite gives Dragonite the ability Aerilate and useful boosts to Attack and Speed, making it the best Mega Stone for Dragonite to hold. Multiscale allows Dragonite to safely set up before Mega Evolving as long as it is at full health, while Aerilate turns Dragonite's Normal-types moves into Flying-type and boosts their power, giving Dragonite a pair of highly spammable STAB moves in Return and Extreme Speed with which to sweep. 252 Speed EVs and a Jolly Nature make Dragonite as fast as possible, allowing it to Speed tie with other Dragonite and outspeed Absolite Darkrai, Tapu Koko, and Geomancy Xerneas at +1 Speed. The 252 Attack EVs maximize Dragonite's damage output, making it hit as hard as possible. An Adamant nature is another option to make Dragonite even stronger and harder to switch into but generally isn't worth the loss in Speed.
Usage Tips
Dragonite is best saved for late game where it can sweep weakened teams after a Dragon Dance boost. However, don't be afraid to use it before then; it isn't worthwhile to sacrifice important team members to revenge KO Pokemon like Pheromosa when Dragonite could do it without even taking damage. Keep Stealth Rock off the field whenever possible so that Dragonite can take advantage of any opportunities to safely set up and sweep. Even at low HP, however, Dragonite can be an extremely threatening sweeper, so don't write it off after a bit of damage.
Team Options
Defoggers such as support Arceus, Zapdos, and Skarmory are extremely handy to keep multiscale intact for a sweep and to let Dragonite switch more easily After Mega Evolving. Meanwhile, entry hazard setters such as Deoxys-S, Primal Groudon, and Blissey are also useful to gain key KOs on Pokemon such as Lunala while pressuring switch-ins like Zapdos. Other Aerilate Pokemon, such as Zygarde and Cobalion, are handy to wear down shared checks and counters and potentially overwhelm them. Ice type switchins such as Arceus-Water, Suicune, and Scizor are also good teammates, as they can come in on those attacks for Dragonite. Pivot Pokemon such as Zapdos, Pheromosa, and Tapu Koko are also useful to safely bring Dragonite in on pokemon it beats; it shouldn't switch in on even resisted hits, as they still break Multiscale.
Strategy Comments
Other Options
Salamencite is a perfectly viable replacement to Pinsirite, particularly on teams that already have two Pinsirite Pokemon, but provides somewhat worse stat boosts. While the bulk may be helpful in living hits post-Mega Evolution or for setting up more, the additional Attack is generally more important. A bulky set with Roost over Return can allow Dragonite to grab multiple boosts with the protection of Multiscale but has less overall utility. Various coverage options such as Thunder Punch for Pinsirite Steel-types, Thunder for Skarmory, or Superpower to OHKO Arceus-Rock are all decent options, but they are generally inferior to the moves listed above. Should bulky support Pokemon be an issue, Facade is an option to turn burns from a crippling blow into a benefit, but it is much less powerful than Return if Dragonite is not statused. Outrage is a secondary powerful STAB move that can pick off many Pokemon but is usually redundant coverage alongside Flying and allows Fairy-type Pokemon to trap Dragonite and KO it; Dragon Claw may also be used, but while it doesn't lock yDragonite into it, it also loses most of Outrage's benefits. Protect is a niche option that lets Dragonite sweep even through Weavile but has no other use and only allows for a 50/50.
Checks and Counters
Bulky Flying-Resistant Pokemon: Pokemon such as Zapdos, Pinsirite Steel-types, and Arceus-Rock can take Dragonite's Aerilate attacks and its coverage before crippling or KOing it in return.
Ice-type Attacks: Ice-type attacks from Pokemon such as Kyurem, Weavile, and support Arceus hit Dragonite 4x super effectively, dealing heavy damage or KOing even through Multiscale.
Stealth Rock: Stealth Rock negates Multiscale, decreasing Dragonite's setup chances significantly. In the mid-game, it also prevents Dragonite from freely revenge killing, and may make it prey for faster Extreme Speed users such as Zygarde.
Bulky Tanks: Extremely bulky Pokemon, such as Suicune, Mandibuzz, Lugia and Yveltal, can take Dragonite's hits and retaliate with their own attacks, whittling down Dragonite or taking it out with Foul Play. While the lack of resistance hurts switch-in chances, these Pokemon can switch in anyway if need be.
Faster Fairy Types: Psychic Terrain blocks priority, aiding Tapu Lele's teammates and giving it opportunities to switch in, while it can hit Dragonite extremely hard with a STAB Moonblast. Xerneas, meanwhile, can outspeed Dragonite with a Choice Scarf and OHKO it with Moonblast, while Tapu Koko resists Extreme Speed and can bluff Pinsirite or pivot to a better answer.
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