Project NU Next Best Thing [Week 35: Gastrodon]

[roxie]

double dance + razor claw


Drapion @ Razor Claw
Ability: Sniper
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / olly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Agility
- Cross Poison
- Night Slash

This set seems best with support via screens like Light Screen+Reflect Inteleon/Xatu/Espeon since it takes 2 turns to get a Swords Dance then Agility off. Cross Poison and Nigh Slash are crit based moves and attaching Razor Claw just increases its chances of critting. Sniper just sounds like the way to go to get an additional attack boost for everytime it crits and when it does, you can get rid of defensive Pokemon that may normally try to stop Drapion like Mudsdale with a crit Night Slash.

 

[Spacial]

Drapion @ Black Sludge
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Acupressure
- Rest
- Sleep Talk

This Drapion sets functions a bit differently than Drapion's usual fare, in that it's a bulky sweeper rather than a breaker or just general tank. The idea is to use Drapion's respectable defensive typing to set up with Acupressure and make it unkillable with Battle Armor. It requires some setup in terms of getting rid of bulky Grounds, but this shouldn't be too much of a strain. As for Acupressure, while questioning its consistency is valid, it's worth noting that you'll be getting a helpful boost 4/6 of the time (roughly 67%), and just a single defense/spdef/evasion boost can go a very long way. Mayhaps not the first set you'd think of for our scorpion friend, but definitely a fun one.

 

[nameless90]

Bulky Taunt SD Drapion

Drapion @ Black Sludge
Ability: Battle Armor
EVs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Poison Jab
- Taunt

General idea
The general idea is to have enough staying power in order to use the combination of Taunt + SD to stallbreak more efficiently. Thanks to the nice Spe tiers you areable to force some switches and, if you guess correctly, you can have some Taunt/SD for free.
Knock Off is STABbed and it is a wonderful utility move although it lacks sheer power unless at +2.

EVs (spread) and item
The spread is a bulky fast one with odd HP to switch into SR one more time. The meaning is to lose immediate power (but with a base 90 Atk the loss is not that great) in order to gain bulk and, thus, opportunities to set-up even thanks to the switch-ins provided by Spe alone.
Black Sludge is good to recover HP and it is clearly superior to Leftovers because it is a Poison-type when facing Trick.
Battle Armor is just perfect to get rid of crits.
Now Drapion is able to tank these attacks:

Hide

4 Atk Life Orb Flygon Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Drapion: 260-307 (75.8 - 89.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 Atk Choice Band Arcanine Flare Blitz vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Drapion: 241-285 (70.2 - 83%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Archeops Head Smash vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Drapion: 238-282 (69.3 - 82.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ SpA Omastar Earth Power vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Drapion: 250-296 (72.8 - 86.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Gallade Close Combat vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Drapion: 230-270 (67 - 78.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
252+ SpA Life Orb Kingdra Hydro Pump vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Drapion: 263-309 (76.6 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery
0 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Drapion: 160-189 (46.6 - 55.1%) -- 11.7% chance to 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery (basically Sylveon 2HKOes Drapion 1/10 of the times)

Whereas, offensively, Drapion can do this:

Hide

8 Atk Drapion Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Espeon: 290-344 (107 - 126.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
8 Atk Drapion Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Indeedee: 312-368 (119.5 - 140.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 8 Atk Drapion Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Tsareena: 320-380 (112.2 - 133.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 8 Atk Drapion Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Silvally-Fairy: 332-392 (100.3 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 8 Atk Drapion Poison Jab vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Virizion: 416-492 (128.7 - 152.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 8 Atk Drapion Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Gallade: 274-324 (98.9 - 116.9%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO
+2 8 Atk Drapion Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Roserade: 274-324 (104.9 - 124.1%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+4 8 Atk Drapion Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 112+ Def Cresselia: 408-482 (91.8 - 108.5%) -- 56.3% chance to OHKO

Teammates support
This Drapion is not a sweeper by any means unless 2 SD (which are unlickily), so sheer power is needed to get past bulky monsters not weak to Poison and Dark. In particular, Ground and Steel-type pokemons may be too difficult to handle.
Some form of Spe control is always welcomed in order to remove opposite items with Knock Off.
In return, Drapion absorbs Toxic Spikes and can spam Knock Off/Poison Jab to chip damage the opponent's threat. Also, Taunt support is always good to sut down some utility moves.

 

[roxie]

Voting ends on Monday 10:30 pm GMT-5/ET for Drapion! Thank you for all submissions Please be reminded that: Voting for your own set is not allowed and advertising for people to vote for your set will result in a disqualification in your submission.

Swords Dance by Elias PSY
Choice Band by Katy
DD + Razor Claw by Roxiee
Acupressure by SpacialRendevous
Bulky Taunt + SD by nameless90​

 

[Katy]

accupressure by spacial

 

[S1nn0hC0nfirm3d]

Acupressure

 

[nameless90]

DD + Razor Claw by Roxiee

 

[roxie]

acupressure

 

[Elias PSY]

Acupressure

 

[Rabia]

spo.ink/drapion

 

[Banbadoro]

Voting Double Dance.

 

[Piley]

Acupressure

 

[Pokeslice]

To no ones surpised, Acupressure by SpacialRendevous took the cake this week! Tagging Roxiee to add Spacial's set to the HOF

Now, without further ado

WEEK 15 - Guzzlord

It's time for the Glizzy Gladiator himself, Guzzlord. With stupid dumb HP, a fantastic typing in this metagame, and the rise of things like Sigi, Guzz is quickly becoming a potent and viable meta pick. At the same time it has a variety of sets, from choiced to defensive (your____bro I expect a fire post :D). You can even run physical, special, or even mixed! The possibilities with this mon are endless, and I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with! Submissions are due by Friday, January 22nd. Have fun!

 

[roxie]

Choice Band

Guzzlord @ Choice Band
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 108 SpD / 148 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Knock Off
- Heavy Slam
- Heat Crash
- Outrage / Dragon Hammer

Even with Sigilyph's departure in NU, Guzzlord still is usable best of its good coverage on both SpA and Atk sides which causes AV, CB, and other sets listed in this thread to be explored. Choice Band Knock Off Pokemon are my favorite, and this particular spread allows Guzzlord to outspeed defensive Sylveon which is fairly common with Meinshao and Bewear running around along with other base 60-70ish Speed tiers. Heat Crash hits Steel-types particularly since they resist its Dragon- and Steel-type moves along withGrass- and Bug-types in the tier like defensive Vileplume and Escavalier.

 

[Danny]

GLIZZY GOBBLER AKA GUZZLORD

Guzzlord @ Leftovers/ Heavy Duty Boots
Ability: Beats Boost
EVs: 96 Atk / 252 Def / 160 SpD
Impish Nature
-Knock Off
-Dragon Tail
-Rest
-Sleep Talk

I’ve been a guzz advocate for the longest, and although I haven’t played much NU in the past week(ZU PU goes dummy rn), in the few game I have played Guzzlord remains one of my favorite Pokémon. It’s main role with this set is to shuffle Pokémon around on Spikes and knocking off defoggers and other switch ins like Sylveon that would be annoying for your team. Gobbler also serves as a nice Copper counter, taking nothing from its STAB or coverage bar Play Rough. Guzz is a good mon, and this set attempts to maximize its defensive utility and also give it a good way to pressure fatter teams by removing items and shuffling guys around.​

 

[Zangoose5000]

SubToxic

Guzzlord @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 172 Atk / 252 Def / 84 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Substitute
- Toxic
- Knock Off / Dragon Tail
- Heavy Slam​

The EV spread is probably wierd. I chose Jolly nature to help shave off the Speed EVs needed to outspeed Sylveon. 252 defense EVs is to help take physical hits such as Close Combat. The rest of the EVs are in attack. Substitute is to help set up Toxic. Toxic is to poison opponents. Knock Off is STAB and removes the opponent's held item. You could use Dragon Tail to get rid of Pokemon that are immune to Toxic. Heavy Slam is to deal with fairy types, and can 2HKO Sylveon if you predict it switching in.

 

[Katy]

expert belt


Mr. Guzzington (Guzzlord) @ Expert Belt
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 Spe
Modest Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Knock Off
- Fire Blast
- Sludge Wave​

expert belt guzzlord can dish out a great amount of damage and is very offensive with the attribute of being able to switch hard hitting moves such as draco meteor, fire blast, sludge wave or knock off. draco meteor is its hardest hitting stab attack, knock off also is stab and removes items such as leftovers, heavy-duty boots and choice items from opposing pokemon such as mudsdale, gastrodon, and rotom-cut. fire blast hits steel-types pretty hard whereas sludge wave hits incoming fairy-types.

 

[nameless90]

Assault Vest Guzzlord

Guzzlord @ Assault Vest
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 Atk / 144 Def / 104 SpD / 8 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Draco Meteor
- Heavy Slam
- Knock Off
- Earthquake


General idea
Guzzlord is already quite bulky and an Assault Vest slapped at this thing fixes that middling SpD side of the spectrum.
Draco Meteor is the only special move because it has a detrimental effect that prevents Guzzlord to spam hits on the special side afterwards.
The set is physical Atk oriented because it is the highest stat of this Ultra Creature. Heavy Slam + Knock Off + Earthquake is a good coverage.
Be wary of burn, though.

EVs (spread) and item
Max Atk+ because it is the highest base stat aside from hp.
144 Def EVs are enough to stomach an Outrage from Flygon + Stealth Rocks.
8 Spe EVs to break the tie with the classical Guzzlord and the remaining ones into the SpD and are helpful with the addition of Assault Vest, the item of this set. Although the special defensive side is still low, the AV helps to keep some weaker hits.

Hide

252 Atk Choice Band Flygon Dragon Claw vs. 0 HP / 144 Def Guzzlord: 434-512 (73.9 - 87.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock
0- SpA Guzzlord Draco Meteor vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Flygon: 294-348 (97.6 - 115.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO

4 SpA Pixilate Sylveon Hyper Voice vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 472-564 (80.4 - 96%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252+ Atk Guzzlord Heavy Slam (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Sylveon: 342-404 (86.8 - 102.5%) -- 93.8% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

0 SpA Diancie Moonblast vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 384-456 (65.4 - 77.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Life Orb Starmie Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 200-237 (34 - 40.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Exploud Focus Blast vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 288-340 (49 - 57.9%) -- 96.1% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Exploud Boomburst vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 252-297 (42.9 - 50.5%) -- 2.3% chance to 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Espeon Dazzling Gleam vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 492-580 (83.8 - 98.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 SpA Choice Specs Inteleon Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 268-316 (45.6 - 53.8%) -- 41% chance to 2HKO
+4 252+ SpA Blastoise Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 452-534 (77 - 90.9%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
+2 252+ SpA Omastar Ice Beam vs. 0 HP / 104 SpD Assault Vest Guzzlord: 370-436 (63 - 74.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

Team(mates) support
Screen and Wish support is really helpful to keep Guzzlord at high health.

 

[Banbadoro]

Light Ball Guzzlord

Guzzlord @ Light Ball
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 116 HP / 252 Atk / 140 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Steel Roller
- Fling
- Dragon Tail
- Knock Off

Seeing as how all the powerful Guzzlord sets have been taken/reserved, I went for a more utility set on Guzz. Whilst Light Ball is of no benefit to Guzz itself, flinging it at an opponent to cause paralysis, and helping its team-mates outspeed the crippled opponent. Steel Roller is also there for a bit of utility; terrain is still a thing in NU so you can use Steel Roller for one of two things (and maybe others I haven't thought of). Firstly, it can reset your own terrain, so you can send in your terrain mon straight away instead of having to wait those last couple of turns for it to disappear, and secondly it will clear your opponent's terrain, all while smacking the opponent with a 130 BP move. Knock is there to rid the opponent of their item, and Dragon Tail to phaze. 140 Spe EVs gives it 157 Speed, outspeeding some of the more defensive mons in the tier.

 

[A Welcome Guest]

Guzzlord @ Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 196 SpD / 60 Spe
Careful Nature
- Corrrosive Gas
- Heavy Slam
- Dragon Tail
- Heat Crash / Earthquake / whatever other stuff you want lmao

Looking at this set, you maybe be thinking "Why Corrosive Gas over Knock Off?" NGL, I was wondering that too cuz I just picked a random move from Guzz's movepool and it decided to be Corrosive Gas lmao. Well, it does have one benefit. It doesn't have a chance to be crippled by annoying stuff like Effect Spore Vileplume, and Rocky Helmet mons. The EV spread makes it a decent check to Vileplume, rotting away its Black Sludge, outrunning 0 Speed variants, and possibly getting a strong Heat Crash off. Heavy Slam for Fairies, Dragon Tail is cool since it phazes, and it doesn't learn Roar with that big mouth sadly.​

 

[Catalisador]

THE GREAT BEAR


Guzzlord @ Eject Pack / Heavy-Duty Boots
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 104 Def / 252 SpA / 152 Spe
Modest Nature
- Dark Pulse
- Protect
- Knock Off / Sludge Bomb
- Draco Meteor​

Thanks to its good neutral bulk, it is able to check the likes of Copperajah, Arcanine and Decidueye all while providing great offensive utility. Protect is an option to counter the First Impression users, mainly Golisopod (and allowing Guzzlord to hit it with a powerful move to drop it down to Emergency Exit range). Knock Off is slashed with Sludge Bomb as a way to get rid of useful oposing items such as Heavy-Duty Boots and Leftovers, while the later hits Fairy-type pokémon like Sylveon and Comfey for good chip damage. Lastly, Eject Pack is a great alternative to give Guzzlord an option to grab momentum via Draco Meteor while getting huge chip off of common switch-ins.

Edit: this set fits well with Toxic spam archetypes, specially coupled with Toxic Spikes support.

 

[Mr.Bossaru]

Guzzlord @ Choice Specs
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 252 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD
Modest Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Draco Meteor
- Sludge Wave
- Dark Pulse
- Flamethrower

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I feel it covers everything but fighting, SW for fairies. DP for ghost and psychic. flamethrower for steels 'this thing destroys copper' its nice for breaking walls like Arcanine and deci, overall it feels very well rounded

 

[roxie]

tagging your____bro kalifguest22 and Zangoose5000 for a reminder~

 

[roxie]

Voting ends on Sunday 10:30 pm GMT-5/ET for Guzzlord! Thank you for all submissions Please be reminded that: Voting for your own set is not allowed and advertising for people to vote for your set will result in a disqualification in your submission.

Choice Band by Roxiee
RestTalk by your____bro
Substitute+Toxic by Zangoose5000
Expert Belt by Katy
Assault Vest by nameless90
Light Ball by APW001
Corrosive Gas by kalifguest22
Eject Pack by Catalisador
Choice Specs by Mr.Bossaru​

 

[Danny]

Light ball Bc light ball