[OVERVIEW]
Poliwrath is a flexible Pokemon that can act as a physical wall or tank that can check common Pokemon in the tier such as Combusken, Golem, Simipour, and Floatzel. thanks to its great defensive typing, decent mixed bulk, and access to Water Absorb. In addition, access to Circle Throw enables it to better check setup Pokemon such as Swords Dance Pinsir, Bulk Up Komala, and Curse Muk. Unfortunately, Poliwrath is weak to a handful of common threats such as Electivire, Leafeon, and Granbull, and despite it being a bulky Water-type with Water Absorb, Poliwrath's part Fighting typing and lack of reliable recovery make it unable to check Water-types such as Swanna, Mareanie, and Silvally-Water. In addition, Poliwrath's Fighting-type STAB moves are usually subpar, which makes it a somewhat shakier check to Normal-types such as Choice Band Komala and Bouffalant compared to other Fighting-types such as Silvally-Fighting and Machoke. Furthermore, Poliwrath also faces stiff competition from Pokemon such as Mareanie, Silvally-Water, and Silvally-Fighting. Mareanie has a superior defensive typing, better utility, and much more longevity thanks to Recover and Regenerator, while Silvally-Water and Silvally-Fighting both offer better utility due to their higher Speed, access to Defog, and ability to pivot. Furthermore, unlike Poliwrath, Silvally-Water acts as a great blanket check to Water-types due to its access to Thunderbolt.
[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Focus Blast / Vacuum Wave / Toxic
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers / Fightinium Z
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Modest
evs: 112 HP / 252 SpA / 144 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
While Vacuum Wave is much weaker than Focus Blast and leaves Poliwrath walled by bulky Pokemon such as Silvally-Water and specially defensive Komala, it is a more reliable STAB move that allows Poliwrath to pick off weakened threats such as Custap Berry Golem, Silvally, and Pawniard. Toxic can also be run over Focus Blast so Poliwrath can cripple switch-ins such as Swanna and Shiinotic. Ice Beam allows Poliwrath to hit Grass-types such as Gourgeist-XL, Shiinotic, and Exeggutor while also hitting Flying-types that may try to switch in such as Rotom-S and Altaria. Protect provides a more effective way to accumulate passive recovery and can be used to scout Choice Scarf users such as Electivire.
Set Details
========
144 Speed EVs allow Poliwrath to outspeed Adamant Golem, Modest Exeggutor, and Adamant Torterra. A Modest nature and maximum EVs into Special Attack maximize Poliwrath's power, while the remaining EVs go into HP to make Poliwrath bulkier. Water Absorb is used so that Poliwrath can check Water-type Pokemon such as Simipour and Floatzel. Fightinium Z allows Poliwrath to bypass the inaccuracy of Focus Blast and to break through Pokemon such as Silvally-Dragon, Simipour, and Toucannon. It also makes Poliwrath a much more reliable offensive check to bulky Normal-types such as Lickilicky, Komala, Bouffalant, and Vigoroth.
Usage Tips
========
Poliwrath mainly functions as a tank, which means it should prioritize switchting into Pokemon it can reliably check such as Combusken, Simipour, Pinsir, and Floatzel. Once Poliwrath is on the field, it should look to attack foes and predict switch-ins accordingly. For example, Poliwrath can switch into Pinsir and freely use Scald; however, if the opponent has a Scald switch-in such as Silvally-Water or Altaria, Poliwrath should use Focus Blast or Ice Beam or double switch out to a teammate. It should also be noted that common Pokemon such as Mareanie, Swanna, and Bronzor counter Poliwrath, so Poliwrath should anticipate those switch-ins and double switch out to a teammate. Because Poliwrath only has access to passive recovery through Leftovers, it should refrain from taking chip damage as much as possible. Furthermore, if holding Leftovers, Poliwrath should avoid switching into moves like Knock Off and Switcheroo from Pokemon it can check such as Simipour, Kecleon, and Choice Specs Floatzel. Although Fightinium Z allows Poliwrath to more easily switch into these Pokemon, without Leftovers, Poliwrath is much easier to wear down and should play more aggressively as a result. In addition, Poliwrath should avoid being crippled by Toxic users such as Silvally-Fighting and Altaria, and it should be careful about using Protect against Pokemon that may try to set up such as Nasty Plot Raichu and Z-Mirror Move Swanna.
Team Options
========
In order to more easily secure KOs, Poliwrath appreciates Pokemon that can set entry hazards such as Golem, Mawile, and Crustle. Conversely, Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Swanna, Komala, Silvally-Dragon, and Silvally-Poison are key to keep Poliwrath healthy. In particular, Swanna, Komala, and Silvally-Poison are all unaffected by Toxic Spikes and can comfortably switch into Mareanie, which counters Poliwrath. Fire-types such as Combusken, Rapidash, and Simisear all appreciate Poliwrath's ability to check Water- and Ground- types such as Floatzel, Simipour, Golem, and Sandslash. In return, these previously mentioned Fire-types can check Grass-types such as Exeggutor, Leafeon, and Shiinotic. Poliwrath pairs well with Pokemon that can absorb or remove status effects such as Altaria, Granbull, Lickilicky, and Komala. Wallbreakers that appreciate Poliwrath's decent mixed bulk such as Torterra, Raichu, and Bouffalant all pair well with Poliwrath. Bouffalant pairs particularly well with Poliwrath thanks to its access to a Grass-type immunity in Sap Sipper.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Circle Throw
move 2: Scald
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
evs: 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Circle Throw phazes potential setup sweepers and switch-ins that may try and to take advantage of Poliwrath's passivity such as Muk and Simipour. Toxic allows Poliwrath to cripple Pokemon and pressure potential switch-ins such as Shiinotic, Gourgeist-XL, and Silvally-Water. Protect provides Poliwrath with the ability to Toxic stall opposing Pokemon while also getting free recovery from Leftovers.
Set Details
========
56 Speed EVs allow Poliwrath to outspeed Golem, and the rest of the EVs maximize its bulk. A Bold nature is used over a Relaxed or Impish one because having a Relaxed nature prevents Poliwrath from outspeeding Golem and Poliwrath prefers the damage output of Scald against Pokemon such as defensive Golem, Marowak, and Combusken.
Usage Tips
========
This set acts as a physical wall, and as such, Poliwrath should prioritize switching into physical attackers such as Floatzel, Golem, and Silvally-Fighting. However, Poliwrath should be wary of being worn down due to its lack of reliable recovery. This is vital because Poliwrath typically checks select threats for its team and should remain as healthy as possible to repeatedly check those threats. While Circle Throw can mainly stop setup sweepers like Z-Me First Pinsir and prevent Poliwrath's switch-ins from coming onto the field, it is also useful to wear down foes when entry hazards are up. Poliwrath should use Protect to rack up recovery from Leftovers as well as additional residual damage against Pokemon that are inflicted with Toxic. Additionally, if Poliwrath is up against a Pokemon that commonly runs a Choice item such as Electivire, Komala, or Beheeyem, it is often beneficial to scout using Protect. Because this set makes Poliwrath especially passive, it should be wary of foes such as Swanna, Leafeon, and Simisage that can use Poliwrath as setup fodder by forcing it out.
Team Options
========
Poliwrath appreciates the added pressure that entry hazards create, so Pokemon like Mawile, Bronzor, Golem, and Crustle tend to pair well with it. Mawile and Bronzor are worth mentioning due to their resistances to both Psychic- and Flying-type moves. Poliwrath pairs well with Pokemon that can remove entry hazards such as Silvally-Dragon, Komala, and Swanna. Status absorbers and clerics such as Lickilicky and Altaria help keep Poliwrath healthy by alleviating the pressure that status effects can put on it. Specially defensive tanks such as Muk, Kecleon, and Komala greatly appreciate Poliwrath's ability to check physical attackers such as Golem, Rapidash, and Floatzel. In return, they sponge special attacks for Poliwrath. Wallbreakers such as Bouffalant and Raichu all also appreciate how well Poliwrath can check physical attackers. Other Pokemon that can check Grass-, Electric-, and Flying-types such as Rapidash, Silvally-Dragon, and Rotom-S make for great partners as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poliwrath can run a standalone rain sweeper set with Swift Swim and Rain Dance, Hydro Pump, Focus Blast, and Ice Beam for coverage with a Life Orb, Waterium Z, or Fightinium Z. Similarly, a Belly Drum set can be used as a rain sweeper and lethal wincon on weather teams. However, being able to use Belly Drum and survive an incoming attack is uncommon for Poliwrath, so it usually lacks good setup opportunities. A set utilizing Substitute, Toxic, and Focus Punch can be used to break past more defensive teams. In particular, this enables Poliwrath to use a powerful physical Fighting-type STAB attack. Physically defensive Poliwrath can use Rest + Sleep Talk to increase longevity and relieve the pressure of status effects. However, a the lack of Toxic and needing Rest for recovery make Poliwrath especially passive, so this set should only be used on defensive teams.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types such as Sawsbuck, Simisage, and Leafeon all threaten Poliwrath with their STAB moves, though they are scared of Ice Beam. Bulkier Grass-types such as Shiinotic, Bellossom, and Servine wall Poliwrath and force it out. In particular, Bellossom can use Poliwrath as setup fodder, but it has to scout for Circle Throw to ensure that it can reliably set up on Poliwrath.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types such as Rotom-S, Electivire, and Raichu are all able to threaten Poliwrath with their respective STAB moves. Raichu is worth mentioning due to its ability to use defensive Poliwrath as setup fodder, while Rotom-S can threaten Poliwrath with both its Flying- and Electric-type STAB attacks.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Swanna, Toucannon, and Jumpluff all threaten Poliwrath. Swanna is worth a special mention due to its ability to reliably switch into Poliwrath's STAB moves and Ice Beam and having Rain Dance and Hydration to bypass Toxic.
**Chip Damage**: Due to Poliwrath's lack of reliable recovery, chip damage can be detrimental to it. This includes chip damage from entry hazards and status from Mareanie, Dusclops, and Bronzor.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[BP, 272450], [5gen, 296755]
- Quality checked by: [5gen, 296755], [Aaronboyer, 239454], [Ho3nConfirm3d, 231074]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [kt3, 228482]]
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