[OVERVIEW]
Paldean Tauros-W splashes its way to the top of the tier as one of the best wallbreakers thanks to its strong STAB attacks boosted with Choice Band or Bulk Up, good Speed tier, and great matchup against top threats like Flygon and Incineroar. With a Choice Band, it threatens common physical walls like Swampert, Galarian Slowbro, and Bellibolt. Alternatively, it can choose to set up with Bulk Up, which prevents physical revenge killers from trying to stop it. Not only does it have a good Speed tier, outspeeding wallbreakers like Porygon-Z, Hisuian Typhlosion, and Toxicroak, but it has a strong priority option in Aqua Jet to beat weakened, faster foes like Kilowattrel and Cinccino. However, it can be easy to take advantage of. If it is Choice Band, then Pokemon immune to Water like Vaporeon or Toxicroak as well as Ghost-types like Chandelure can switch in and punish it. Other foes that resist its STAB moves like Galarian Slowbro and Vileplume use Rocky Helmet to punish its use of contact moves; the latter can punish it further due to Effect Spore. Vileplume is able to hard wall Bulk Up variants, stopping any attempt to set up or forcing the use of Tera. Its Speed tier is good, but not good enough, as some wallbreakers like Kilowattrel, Tornadus, and Munkidori outspeed and revenge it with ease.
[SET]
name: Choice Item
move 1: Wave Crash
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Aqua Jet / Raging Bull
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Earthquake
item: Choice Band / Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Water / Fighting
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Choice Band turns Paldean Tauros-W into a powerful wallbreaker with its high Base Power STAB attacks, letting it 2HKO slower Water- or Fighting-resistant Pokemon like Brambleghast and Choice Specs Sylveon. Choice Band also takes advantage of Aqua Jet's priority to revenge kill faster threats like Kilowattrel, Munkidori, and Choice Scarf Chandelure. Choice Scarf allows it to use Raging Bull instead of Aqua Jet, giving it another Water-type STAB move that doesn't have recoil damage. Zen Headbutt allows it to 2HKO Vileplume, while Earthquake is more accurate and has higher damage against other Poison-types like Galarian Slowbro and Dragalge. Choice Scarf enables Paldean Tauros-W to turn into a revenge killer, outspeeding and KOing threats like Inteleon, Munkidori, and Kilowattrel. Tera Water pushes Wave Crash's damage through the roof, opening room for new 2HKOs on Pokemon like Cresselia, defensive Brambleghast, and Bellibolt. Tera Fighting buffs Close Combat, enabling it to OHKO Klefki and, after some prior chip damage, Diancie and Vaporeon.
Psychic- and Fairy-types like Cresselia, Munkidori, and Sylveon all heavily threaten Paldean Tauros-W with their super effective STAB attacks while being able to tank its Close Combat. This opens room for Steel-types and certain special walls like Bronzong, Registeel, and Incineroar; in return, Paldean Tauros-W helps deal with Fire- and Ground-types like Chandelure, Flygon, and Swampert, that hinder those Pokemon. Ground-types like Flygon, Swampert, and Gastrodon take advantage of Electric-types like Kilowattrel, Bellibolt, and Rotom-C, which can all KO Paldean Tauros-W with ease. Due to its struggles with taking on common physical walls like Vileplume, Galarian Slowbro, and Tera Poison Avalugg, special wallbreakers like Munkidori, Porygon-Z, and Hisuian Typhlosion make for great partners. Due to recoil damage, Rocky Helmet, and entry hazards, it appreciates Wish support from Pokemon like Sylveon and Florges as well as Lunar Dance from Choice Scarf Cresselia. Vaporeon and Toxicroak are both checks to it due to their Water immunity; this opens up room for certain Pokemon like Rotom-C and Kilowattrel. Galarian Articuno in particular forms a core with it thanks to Future Sight and U-turn to pressure Vileplume and other Pokemon that switch into Paldean Tauros-W; in return, Paldean Tauros-W helps defeat any Steel- and Dark-types that Galarian Articuno loses to.
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Wave Crash / Raging Bull
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Aqua Jet / Zen Headbutt / Substitute
item: Leftovers / Lum Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Steel / Water
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Raging Bull can be used over Wave Crash as a strong option if Paldean Tauros-W is not using Leftovers to help mitigate recoil damage. Aqua Jet gives it a form of strong priority, making revenge killing it with Kilowattrel and Munkidori much harder. Zen Headbutt helps to hit Poison-types like Vileplume, Toxicroak, and Dragalge. Substitute can be used instead for longevity, pairing well with Tera Steel to become immune to status and Vileplume's Leech Seed. Leftovers gives it some form of longevity while setting up and lets it regain some HP lost due to Wave Crash's recoil. Lum Berry grants it a one-time immunity to any status it may obtain from the likes of Talonflame's Flame Body and Vileplume's Effect Spore. Tera Steel grants useful resistances to Fairy-, Psychic-, Flying-, and Grass-type attacks that Paldean Tauros-W is otherwise weak to, while Tera Water boosts the damage of Wave Crash and Raging Bull, though it doesn't offer much defensive utility.
This set excels when partnered with other setup sweepers on a hyper offense team, such as Flygon, Chandelure, and Incineroar; they all appreciate having Galvantula as a lead to lay Sticky Web on the opposing side, slowing down any faster Pokemon. Froslass, Brambleghast, and Iron Thorns are other good leads for these teams, using Spikes to wear down already unstable checks. Despite that, Paldean Tauros-W isn't a one-trick pony, being a staple on some balance builds, especially when paired with Flygon. It helps beat some of Flygon's checks such as Bronzong, Orthworm, and Choice Scarf Cresselia; simultaneously, Flygon pressures Paldean Tauros-W's checks like Galarian Slowbro, Toxicroak, and Vileplume. It appreciates Steel-types like Bronzong, Registeel, and Klefki to tank any Psychic- and Fairy-type attacks coming its way. Flygon, Swampert, and Volt Absorb Kilowattrel do a great job at punishing any Electric-types trying to revenge it like opposing Kilowattrel and Choice Scarf Rotom-C. It appreciates help from Pokemon like Munkidori and Meloetta to threaten Vileplume, Galarian Slowbro, and Houndstone; Paldean-Tauros-W, in return, alleviates pressure from Dark-types like Incineroar, Alolan Muk, and Umbreon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Iron Head can be used as an option to hit Tera Fairy Vaporeon, but that's its only target because Wave Crash hits the other Fairy-types for more damage. Stone Edge is an option to target Talonflame without risking a Flame Body burn. Trailblaze can be paired with Bulk Up to outspeed would-be faster Pokemon like Kilowattrel and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-types**: Vileplume is a hard counter, resisting both of its STAB attacks and only ever getting 2HKOed by Choice Band Zen Headbutt. Defensive Brambleghast can be problematic due to its immunity to Fighting-type moves and Water resistance; that in combination with Strength Sap can wall Paldean Tauros-W. Choice Scarf users like Rotom-C and Tsareena can revenge kill it while resisting its Water-type moves. Decidueye resists Wave Crash and is immune to Close Combat, letting it switch in and set up at no cost.
**Psychic-types**: Bulky Psychic-types like Cresselia and Galarian Slowbro can tank any of Paldean Tauros-W's hits and threaten it in return. Others like Munkidori and Espeon outspeed it and threaten to KO or force the use of Tera Steel.
**Water-immune and -resistant Pokemon**: Vaporeon and Gastrodon are both immune to Wave Crash and Raging Bull and can use Tera Fairy to resist Close Combat. Vaporeon and Milotic can use Scald to burn it. Toxicroak is immune to its Water-type moves and resists Close Combat, often giving it a free turn to set up. Tera Water Galarian Slowbro is hardly threatened by Paldean Tauros-W, and it can hit it back with a super effective Psychic.
**Chip Damage**: Some of Paldean Tauros-W's most common checks, like Vileplume, Galarian Slowbro, and Houndstone, tend to use Rocky Helmet, punishing it for simply attacking. On top of that, one of its main STAB attacks inflicts recoil damage, which adds up over any given match. This also leads into it having a poor matchup against Talonflame, Vileplume, and Bellibolt, which all have abilities that can status it on contact.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/Lucario.189361/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Paldean Tauros-W splashes its way to the top of the tier as one of the best wallbreakers thanks to its strong STAB attacks boosted with Choice Band or Bulk Up, good Speed tier, and great matchup against top threats like Flygon and Incineroar. With a Choice Band, it threatens common physical walls like Swampert, Galarian Slowbro, and Bellibolt. Alternatively, it can choose to set up with Bulk Up, which prevents physical revenge killers from trying to stop it. Not only does it have a good Speed tier, outspeeding wallbreakers like Porygon-Z, Hisuian Typhlosion, and Toxicroak, but it has a strong priority option in Aqua Jet to beat weakened, faster foes like Kilowattrel and Cinccino. However, it can be easy to take advantage of. If it is Choice Band, then Pokemon immune to Water like Vaporeon or Toxicroak as well as Ghost-types like Chandelure can switch in and punish it. Other foes that resist its STAB moves like Galarian Slowbro and Vileplume use Rocky Helmet to punish its use of contact moves; the latter can punish it further due to Effect Spore. Vileplume is able to hard wall Bulk Up variants, stopping any attempt to set up or forcing the use of Tera. Its Speed tier is good, but not good enough, as some wallbreakers like Kilowattrel, Tornadus, and Munkidori outspeed and revenge it with ease.
[SET]
name: Choice Item
move 1: Wave Crash
move 2: Close Combat
move 3: Aqua Jet / Raging Bull
move 4: Zen Headbutt / Earthquake
item: Choice Band / Choice Scarf
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Water / Fighting
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Choice Band turns Paldean Tauros-W into a powerful wallbreaker with its high Base Power STAB attacks, letting it 2HKO slower Water- or Fighting-resistant Pokemon like Brambleghast and Choice Specs Sylveon. Choice Band also takes advantage of Aqua Jet's priority to revenge kill faster threats like Kilowattrel, Munkidori, and Choice Scarf Chandelure. Choice Scarf allows it to use Raging Bull instead of Aqua Jet, giving it another Water-type STAB move that doesn't have recoil damage. Zen Headbutt allows it to 2HKO Vileplume, while Earthquake is more accurate and has higher damage against other Poison-types like Galarian Slowbro and Dragalge. Choice Scarf enables Paldean Tauros-W to turn into a revenge killer, outspeeding and KOing threats like Inteleon, Munkidori, and Kilowattrel. Tera Water pushes Wave Crash's damage through the roof, opening room for new 2HKOs on Pokemon like Cresselia, defensive Brambleghast, and Bellibolt. Tera Fighting buffs Close Combat, enabling it to OHKO Klefki and, after some prior chip damage, Diancie and Vaporeon.
Psychic- and Fairy-types like Cresselia, Munkidori, and Sylveon all heavily threaten Paldean Tauros-W with their super effective STAB attacks while being able to tank its Close Combat. This opens room for Steel-types and certain special walls like Bronzong, Registeel, and Incineroar; in return, Paldean Tauros-W helps deal with Fire- and Ground-types like Chandelure, Flygon, and Swampert, that hinder those Pokemon. Ground-types like Flygon, Swampert, and Gastrodon take advantage of Electric-types like Kilowattrel, Bellibolt, and Rotom-C, which can all KO Paldean Tauros-W with ease. Due to its struggles with taking on common physical walls like Vileplume, Galarian Slowbro, and Tera Poison Avalugg, special wallbreakers like Munkidori, Porygon-Z, and Hisuian Typhlosion make for great partners. Due to recoil damage, Rocky Helmet, and entry hazards, it appreciates Wish support from Pokemon like Sylveon and Florges as well as Lunar Dance from Choice Scarf Cresselia. Vaporeon and Toxicroak are both checks to it due to their Water immunity; this opens up room for certain Pokemon like Rotom-C and Kilowattrel. Galarian Articuno in particular forms a core with it thanks to Future Sight and U-turn to pressure Vileplume and other Pokemon that switch into Paldean Tauros-W; in return, Paldean Tauros-W helps defeat any Steel- and Dark-types that Galarian Articuno loses to.
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Wave Crash / Raging Bull
move 3: Close Combat
move 4: Aqua Jet / Zen Headbutt / Substitute
item: Leftovers / Lum Berry
ability: Intimidate
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
tera type: Steel / Water
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Raging Bull can be used over Wave Crash as a strong option if Paldean Tauros-W is not using Leftovers to help mitigate recoil damage. Aqua Jet gives it a form of strong priority, making revenge killing it with Kilowattrel and Munkidori much harder. Zen Headbutt helps to hit Poison-types like Vileplume, Toxicroak, and Dragalge. Substitute can be used instead for longevity, pairing well with Tera Steel to become immune to status and Vileplume's Leech Seed. Leftovers gives it some form of longevity while setting up and lets it regain some HP lost due to Wave Crash's recoil. Lum Berry grants it a one-time immunity to any status it may obtain from the likes of Talonflame's Flame Body and Vileplume's Effect Spore. Tera Steel grants useful resistances to Fairy-, Psychic-, Flying-, and Grass-type attacks that Paldean Tauros-W is otherwise weak to, while Tera Water boosts the damage of Wave Crash and Raging Bull, though it doesn't offer much defensive utility.
This set excels when partnered with other setup sweepers on a hyper offense team, such as Flygon, Chandelure, and Incineroar; they all appreciate having Galvantula as a lead to lay Sticky Web on the opposing side, slowing down any faster Pokemon. Froslass, Brambleghast, and Iron Thorns are other good leads for these teams, using Spikes to wear down already unstable checks. Despite that, Paldean Tauros-W isn't a one-trick pony, being a staple on some balance builds, especially when paired with Flygon. It helps beat some of Flygon's checks such as Bronzong, Orthworm, and Choice Scarf Cresselia; simultaneously, Flygon pressures Paldean Tauros-W's checks like Galarian Slowbro, Toxicroak, and Vileplume. It appreciates Steel-types like Bronzong, Registeel, and Klefki to tank any Psychic- and Fairy-type attacks coming its way. Flygon, Swampert, and Volt Absorb Kilowattrel do a great job at punishing any Electric-types trying to revenge it like opposing Kilowattrel and Choice Scarf Rotom-C. It appreciates help from Pokemon like Munkidori and Meloetta to threaten Vileplume, Galarian Slowbro, and Houndstone; Paldean-Tauros-W, in return, alleviates pressure from Dark-types like Incineroar, Alolan Muk, and Umbreon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
Iron Head can be used as an option to hit Tera Fairy Vaporeon, but that's its only target because Wave Crash hits the other Fairy-types for more damage. Stone Edge is an option to target Talonflame without risking a Flame Body burn. Trailblaze can be paired with Bulk Up to outspeed would-be faster Pokemon like Kilowattrel and Choice Scarf Porygon-Z.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-types**: Vileplume is a hard counter, resisting both of its STAB attacks and only ever getting 2HKOed by Choice Band Zen Headbutt. Defensive Brambleghast can be problematic due to its immunity to Fighting-type moves and Water resistance; that in combination with Strength Sap can wall Paldean Tauros-W. Choice Scarf users like Rotom-C and Tsareena can revenge kill it while resisting its Water-type moves. Decidueye resists Wave Crash and is immune to Close Combat, letting it switch in and set up at no cost.
**Psychic-types**: Bulky Psychic-types like Cresselia and Galarian Slowbro can tank any of Paldean Tauros-W's hits and threaten it in return. Others like Munkidori and Espeon outspeed it and threaten to KO or force the use of Tera Steel.
**Water-immune and -resistant Pokemon**: Vaporeon and Gastrodon are both immune to Wave Crash and Raging Bull and can use Tera Fairy to resist Close Combat. Vaporeon and Milotic can use Scald to burn it. Toxicroak is immune to its Water-type moves and resists Close Combat, often giving it a free turn to set up. Tera Water Galarian Slowbro is hardly threatened by Paldean Tauros-W, and it can hit it back with a super effective Psychic.
**Chip Damage**: Some of Paldean Tauros-W's most common checks, like Vileplume, Galarian Slowbro, and Houndstone, tend to use Rocky Helmet, punishing it for simply attacking. On top of that, one of its main STAB attacks inflicts recoil damage, which adds up over any given match. This also leads into it having a poor matchup against Talonflame, Vileplume, and Bellibolt, which all have abilities that can status it on contact.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/Lucario.189361/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/tbolt.555379/
Last edited:
