[SET]
name: Standard Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Focus Punch / Curse / Refresh
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Quiet
evs: 240 HP / 236 SpA / 32 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
In contrast with the above sets, this is an offensive Swampert set that relies on its mixed attacking power to break common defensive backbones and punish some of its standard checks. Hydro Pump threatens to 2HKO or 3HKO virtually any Pokemon that doesn't resist it. Ice Beam primarily nails specially defensive Zapdos as well as Grass-types and Salamence. Earthquake gives Swampert mixed attacking coverage, which helps wear down Blissey, pressures defensive Jirachi, and guarantees the KO on Tyranitar and Metagross at certain ranges without risking a Hydro Pump miss. Focus Punch works to get a guaranteed hit on predicted switches and, more importantly, prevents Blissey from freely recovering with Soft-Boiled, which keeps it from being a reliable check. Curse is a flex option for Swampert in the 4th move slot, allowing it to threaten Bulky Water-Types that would often sit on Swampert and impede it's progress, such as Milotic, Rest Suicune, and Defensive Starmie. Refresh lets Swampert shrug off the Toxic from Skarmory, Defensive Jirachi, and Blissey and Will-O-Wisp from Gengar, limiting the opposing teams ability to pivot around it while it loses HP.
240 HP EVs maximise Swampert's bulk without needing to benchmark for specific physical or special hits. 32 Speed EVs allow Pert to outspeed uninvested Blissey. With the remaining 236 EVs put into Special Attack with a Quiet nature Swampert's damage output remains high enough to hit all but its hardest of checks for good damage. 28 Attack EVs can sometimes be used to ensure that a Focus Punch followed by an Earthquake from Swampert will always KO Blissey from full with sand up. Faster spreads are of course possible, investing in Speed to outrun Claydol, standard Skarmory, Jolly Marowak and negative-natured Wish + Protect Jirachi. Curse Offensive Swampert forgoes speed investment, and instead runs high HP and Special Attack investment with a Quiet nature to maximize its destructive capabilities.
This set is meant to be played aggressively, relying on Swampert's natural ability to force switches and Hydro Pump's damage output for offensive momentum. The player should be willing to trade Swampert's health for potential KOs or preserve it so it can hold off an expected Dragon Dance sweeper or Aerodactyl in the back.
Team Options
========
A second rock-resist is absolutely integral as a partner, as this Swampert cannot be relied on defensively and thus requires the support of a backup check to physical attackers. For example, Metagross and Swampert together form a dual status pivot core against Blissey; Metagross is immune to Toxic, and Swampert is immune to Thunder Wave. Thus, they exert massive pressure while playing around status moves. Metagross tends to appreciate Swampert's targeting of Skarmory and opposing Swampert while threatening to use Explosion on Milotic and Suicune, thereby opening up Swampert as a threat. Salamence draws Rock Slides that give Swampert an opportunity to switch in, and its Intimidate cushions physical blows for Swampert to come in on, while it appreciates the offense this set brings. Offensive Celebi and Zapdos switch in on Swampert's common checks in Milotic, Rest Suicune, and Recover Starmie. Furthermore, Celebi can Baton Pass Calm Mind boosts to Swampert.
As always, Spikes are helpful to punish Grass-types and bulky Water-types, which switch into Hydro Pump comfortably. Skarmory and Cloyster can also back Swampert up against physical attackers that threaten it. Lastly, faster Pokemon like Starmie and Jolteon appreciate this Swampert's wallbreaking capabilities while threatening mixed attackers like Salamence that can give it trouble.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An attack-invested or even Choice Band Swampert can do better at pushing through defensive Water-types and could potentially lure and KO Celebi with Hidden Power Bug, but Hydro Pump is still useful for Skarmory and Gengar. Choice band Swampert can also carry Rock Slide to hit its Flying-Type would-be switch-ins. In a similar vein, a Substitute + Focus Punch set could work, brutalizing Blissey and Snorlax much harder at the cost of a valuable coverage slot. Finally, Swampert may also consider using Hidden Power Grass as an option to hit opposing Swampert for massive damage, opening the game up for physical attacking teammates.
name: Standard Offensive
move 1: Hydro Pump
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Focus Punch / Curse / Refresh
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Quiet
evs: 240 HP / 236 SpA / 32 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
In contrast with the above sets, this is an offensive Swampert set that relies on its mixed attacking power to break common defensive backbones and punish some of its standard checks. Hydro Pump threatens to 2HKO or 3HKO virtually any Pokemon that doesn't resist it. Ice Beam primarily nails specially defensive Zapdos as well as Grass-types and Salamence. Earthquake gives Swampert mixed attacking coverage, which helps wear down Blissey, pressures defensive Jirachi, and guarantees the KO on Tyranitar and Metagross at certain ranges without risking a Hydro Pump miss. Focus Punch works to get a guaranteed hit on predicted switches and, more importantly, prevents Blissey from freely recovering with Soft-Boiled, which keeps it from being a reliable check. Curse is a flex option for Swampert in the 4th move slot, allowing it to threaten Bulky Water-Types that would often sit on Swampert and impede it's progress, such as Milotic, Rest Suicune, and Defensive Starmie. Refresh lets Swampert shrug off the Toxic from Skarmory, Defensive Jirachi, and Blissey and Will-O-Wisp from Gengar, limiting the opposing teams ability to pivot around it while it loses HP.
240 HP EVs maximise Swampert's bulk without needing to benchmark for specific physical or special hits. 32 Speed EVs allow Pert to outspeed uninvested Blissey. With the remaining 236 EVs put into Special Attack with a Quiet nature Swampert's damage output remains high enough to hit all but its hardest of checks for good damage. 28 Attack EVs can sometimes be used to ensure that a Focus Punch followed by an Earthquake from Swampert will always KO Blissey from full with sand up. Faster spreads are of course possible, investing in Speed to outrun Claydol, standard Skarmory, Jolly Marowak and negative-natured Wish + Protect Jirachi. Curse Offensive Swampert forgoes speed investment, and instead runs high HP and Special Attack investment with a Quiet nature to maximize its destructive capabilities.
This set is meant to be played aggressively, relying on Swampert's natural ability to force switches and Hydro Pump's damage output for offensive momentum. The player should be willing to trade Swampert's health for potential KOs or preserve it so it can hold off an expected Dragon Dance sweeper or Aerodactyl in the back.
Team Options
========
A second rock-resist is absolutely integral as a partner, as this Swampert cannot be relied on defensively and thus requires the support of a backup check to physical attackers. For example, Metagross and Swampert together form a dual status pivot core against Blissey; Metagross is immune to Toxic, and Swampert is immune to Thunder Wave. Thus, they exert massive pressure while playing around status moves. Metagross tends to appreciate Swampert's targeting of Skarmory and opposing Swampert while threatening to use Explosion on Milotic and Suicune, thereby opening up Swampert as a threat. Salamence draws Rock Slides that give Swampert an opportunity to switch in, and its Intimidate cushions physical blows for Swampert to come in on, while it appreciates the offense this set brings. Offensive Celebi and Zapdos switch in on Swampert's common checks in Milotic, Rest Suicune, and Recover Starmie. Furthermore, Celebi can Baton Pass Calm Mind boosts to Swampert.
As always, Spikes are helpful to punish Grass-types and bulky Water-types, which switch into Hydro Pump comfortably. Skarmory and Cloyster can also back Swampert up against physical attackers that threaten it. Lastly, faster Pokemon like Starmie and Jolteon appreciate this Swampert's wallbreaking capabilities while threatening mixed attackers like Salamence that can give it trouble.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
An attack-invested or even Choice Band Swampert can do better at pushing through defensive Water-types and could potentially lure and KO Celebi with Hidden Power Bug, but Hydro Pump is still useful for Skarmory and Gengar. Choice band Swampert can also carry Rock Slide to hit its Flying-Type would-be switch-ins. In a similar vein, a Substitute + Focus Punch set could work, brutalizing Blissey and Snorlax much harder at the cost of a valuable coverage slot. Finally, Swampert may also consider using Hidden Power Grass as an option to hit opposing Swampert for massive damage, opening the game up for physical attacking teammates.
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