MZ
And now for something completely different
[OVERVIEW]
Poliwrath is a strong option in the PU metagame thanks to its unique defensive typing and ability, which allow it to combat many of the tier's top threats including Jellicent, Aggron, Lycanroc, Omastar, and Skuntank. Aside from extreme role compression, Poliwrath also has a diverse enough movepool to allow it to run a range of offensive and defensive sets as both a physical and special attacker while still managing to keep the aforementioned threats in check. Poliwrath is also one of the few Pokemon with access to moves and abilities such as Circle Throw, Vacuum Wave, and Water Absorb, which are extremely useful for phazing in conjunction with Spikes, revenge killing Omastar, and checking Water-types, respectively. However, Poliwrath's stats are incredibly average, meaning that it can't specialize or excel in any offensive or defensive roles outside of checking the same list of Pokemon. While Poliwrath's typing is extremely good for checking specific Rock- and Water-types, it also leaves Poliwrath vulnerable to a wide range of common Grass-, Flying-, Electric-, and Psychic-types, meaning that almost every team will naturally have multiple Poliwrath checks such as Scyther and Mesprit. Lack of reliable recovery means that Poliwrath must use unreliable means such as Rest or a combination of Leftovers and Protect to avoid being worn down too quickly. Poliwrath also faces some competition from other Fighting- and Water-types such as Gurdurr and Lanturn, but while it will usually be outclassed in terms of raw bulk or strength, its niche is incredibly solid because nothing can compress roles quite like Poliwrath.
[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Protect / Vacuum Wave / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 160 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Poliwrath's most reliable attack, threatening Rock-, Fire-, and Ground-types such as Regirock and Mudsdale as well as forcing switch-ins to consider the risk of being burned. Focus Blast is unreliable but much more powerful, helping to keep Normal-types such as Stoutland in check and providing solid neutral coverage in conjunction with Scald. Toxic is necessary for crippling defensive switch-ins including Mesprit and Jellicent, which Poliwrath otherwise fails to threaten. Protect helps Poliwrath rack up passive recovery and Toxic stall opposing Pokemon, and it is generally the most useful final move, as Poliwrath will constantly need to regenerate more health. Vacuum Wave is another solid option for teams that need to better handle Omastar, Carracosta, and Lycanroc, all of which can KO a weakened Poliwrath once boosted but none of which appreciate a STAB priority Fighting-type attack. Ice Beam allows Poliwrath to 2HKO Alolan Exeggutor, Altaria, and Gourgeist-XL, as well as Tangela without risking Focus Blast missing, but it tends to be less useful in most matchups.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Poliwrath to outspeed Modest Jellicent, Jolly Aggron, Modest Aurorus, and neutral-natured Abomasnow, four Pokemon Poliwrath greatly benefits from being able to move before. Maximum HP investment is used because Poliwrath prioritizes its bulk in order to better switch into threats such as Aggron. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to slightly bolster Poliwrath's offenses, but Poliwrath cannot hit especially hard regardless. Leftovers helps provide passive recovery and goes well with Protect, while Water Absorb allows Poliwrath to better check Water-types including Floatzel and Omastar.
Usage Tips
========
Be very thoughtful about how Poliwrath's health is preserved. It is often used to switch into a number of different things, and prioritizing whether it's more important to switch directly into Aggron early-game or play around Aggron by other means and keep Poliwrath healthy for checking Omastar late-game can be a critical decision. If running Ice Beam, don't reveal it too early and obviously. Keeping Poliwrath's fourth moveslot vague can be quite useful in catching opponents off guard. Scald is Poliwrath's most spammable move due to its ability to burn switch-ins and Focus Blast's unreliability, but be aware that there are some foes such as Oricorio-E that Poliwrath would much rather cripple with Toxic than burn. Spreading status with Toxic is also a relatively safe option, as most Poliwrath switch-ins like Lurantis and Swanna are extremely averse to being badly poisoned. However, you'll want to avoid spamming Scald if facing teams with Clefairy. Protect is incredibly valuable, but it is also risky; as good as stalling for Toxic and Leftovers recovery is, you should be cautious about giving threats like Lilligant free turns to set up.
Team Options
========
Wish from Audino, Healing Wish from Mesprit, and Z-Parting Shot from Alolan Persian can significantly improve Poliwrath's longevity and allow it to more freely switch into strong attackers earlier in a match. Poliwrath requires sturdy Psychic-, Grass-, and Flying-type checks due to its very common weaknesses. Thus, Pokemon like Skuntank, Oricorio-G, and Togedemaru are highly recommended. Entry hazard removers such as Lurantis and Altaria are also important, as Poliwrath is extremely susceptible to chip damage from Spikes. Many specially bulky Pokemon, such as Clefairy and the aforementioned Altaria, highly appreciate Poliwrath's ability to check Aggron. Poliwrath is also a good teammate for Pokemon that give Shell Smash Omastar and Carracosta free setup opportunities, like Scyther and Type: Null, which also appreciate Poliwrath's ability to absorb Knock Off fairly well. An Electric-immune Pokemon such as Lanturn or Stunfisk can help to stop opposing Electric-types from freely using Volt Switch versus Poliwrath. General Electric-type checks such as Alolan Exeggutor are also a good investment. Water-weak Pokemon, including Mudsdale and Combusken, benefit from Poliwrath's presence discouraging free usage of Water-type moves. Poliwrath struggles with bulky setup sweepers like Bellossom and Clefairy, which makes stallbreakers like Oricorio-G, Acid Spray Eelektross, and Taunt Aggron ideal partners. Grounded Poison-types like Skuntank and Qwilfish are useful for removing Toxic Spikes, which can cripple Poliwrath. Strong physical wallbreakers such as Stoutland are good teammates, since Poliwrath is complete bait for most specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Circle Throw
move 2: Scald
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Circle Throw is a huge selling point for this set, allowing Poliwrath to phaze opposing Pokemon and rack up extra damage in conjunction with Spikes and Stealth Rock. Scald helps Poliwrath threaten switch-ins with a potential burn, as well as hitting Ghost-types such as Froslass. Rest keeps Poliwrath healthy in order to check boosting sweepers and continue phazing over longer games, while Sleep Talk keeps Poliwrath from being completely passive while asleep.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Relaxed nature is used to make Poliwrath as bulky as possible, chewing hits from physical threats like Aggron and Kangaskhan. Leftovers provides a bit of passive recovery given Rest's unreliability. A Rocky Helmet can be used to rack up more chip damage at the cost of forcing Poliwrath to use Rest more frequently. Water Absorb helps Poliwrath to check Water-types like Omastar.
Usage Tips
========
Use Rest whenever needed to keep Poliwrath healthy enough to switch into threats such as Assault Vest Crabominable. However, you should also attempt to avoid doing so whenever it isn't completely necessary, because it forces Poliwrath to rely on Sleep Talk. When lots of entry hazards are up on the opponent's side, use Circle Throw frequently to rack up chip damage. When no hazards are set up, spamming Scald to fish for burns is generally more effective. Poliwrath is a somewhat common and predictable switch-in to many Pokemon including Aggron, Lycanroc, Omastar, and Alolan Raticate, but beware of double switches or somewhat lure sets such as Normalium Z Omastar and Zen Headbutt Carracosta.
Team Options
========
Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank are all but mandatory, as this set is completely unable to damage Jellicent. This set is almost always found on very bulky teams that require a sturdy Rock-, Water-, and Dark-type check, in particular teams that also utilize Spikes. Spikes setters like Froslass and Crustle, as well as Stealth Rock setters such as Clefairy, turn Circle Throw from a weak nuisance into a quick way to rack up extra damage from entry hazards. Sturdy Psychic, Grass, and Flying switch-ins such as Spiritomb, Altaria, and Alolan Sandslash are required due to Poliwrath's plethora of common weaknesses. Specially defensive Pokemon appreciate Poliwrath's ability to check physical wallbreakers such as Kangaskhan. Clefairy, Altaria, and Audino are good examples of both special walls and clerics, which can remove Poliwrath's sleep status and prevent it from relying on Sleep Talk rolls. Dark-weak Pokemon such as Musharna and Haunter appreciate this set's ability to counter most offensive Dark-types save Shiftry. Poliwrath also acts as a Knock Off absorber, which Eviolite-reliant Pokemon like Tangela enjoy. Rapid Spin Alolan Sandslash is a useful teammate, since Poliwrath dislikes Spikes but allows relatively free setup to Froslass and Qwilfish. Defog users such as Skuntank can also be run, but they will remove the entry hazards set by Poliwrath's teammates as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Specs sets increase Poliwrath's power while still checking many dangerous sweepers, but Poliwrath remains somewhat weak even with the boost in power. Substitute + Focus Punch sets hit much harder than the special tank set is capable of, but they lack the same amount of longevity and are still checked very hard by many common Pokemon such as Mesprit and Infiltrator Will-O-Wisp Spiritomb. Bulk Up sets, with or without Substitute, can be dangerous wallbreakers, but they are somewhat matchup reliant and still have difficulty breaking through moderately bulky Pokemon such as Scyther and are very easy to revenge kill with anything from Mesprit to Oricorio-E. Earthquake can be used on the special tank set, as it is Poliwrath's best move to hit Lanturn with. However, it has little other utility. Rain Dance sets can attempt to sweep with Swift Swim, but this is generally done better by Ludicolo and Omastar if special or Qwilfish and Kabutops if physical. Poliwrath can also be run on full rain teams as a Belly Drum sweeper, but such a set has difficulties setting up. Z-Hypnosis + Belly Drum sets can help Poliwrath to be a very strong wallbreaker if it is able to land Hypnosis, but they are still fairly easy to revenge kill due to Poliwrath's mediocre Speed. Encore is an annoying utility option that helps Poliwrath not be quite so useless versus special walls, but it isn't exceptionally useful, especially when compared to the constant utility of Protect. Throat Chop can function as an effective Jellicent lure, although it does little else for Poliwrath.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Type-advantaged Pokemon**: Grass-types such as Lilligant and Tangela, Flying-types such as Swanna and Oricorio-G, Psychic-types such as Mesprit and Jynx, and Electric-types such as Manectric and Lanturn can all take on Poliwrath one-on-one fairly easily, with most being able to switch in with little risk. Poliwrath can attempt to phaze them on the switch with Circle Throw, burn them with Scald, or cripple them with Toxic, but it must often make a good prediction to cripple them most effectively. Jellicent is also notable for fearing nothing but Toxic from any Poliwrath set.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Special tank Poliwrath fails to break through most specially bulky Pokemon, including Hitmonchan, Clefairy, and Throh, and is susceptible to being worn down by their attacks or used as setup fodder.
**Chip Damage**: Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Poliwrath is prone to being slowly worn down by, entry hazards, status, and repeated switches into strong Pokemon such as Aggron and Kangaskhan.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [Megazard, 202117]
- Quality checked by: [[Darkinium, 448296], [Jklioe, 424692], [2xTheTap, 11407]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [lotiasite, 302985]]
Poliwrath is a strong option in the PU metagame thanks to its unique defensive typing and ability, which allow it to combat many of the tier's top threats including Jellicent, Aggron, Lycanroc, Omastar, and Skuntank. Aside from extreme role compression, Poliwrath also has a diverse enough movepool to allow it to run a range of offensive and defensive sets as both a physical and special attacker while still managing to keep the aforementioned threats in check. Poliwrath is also one of the few Pokemon with access to moves and abilities such as Circle Throw, Vacuum Wave, and Water Absorb, which are extremely useful for phazing in conjunction with Spikes, revenge killing Omastar, and checking Water-types, respectively. However, Poliwrath's stats are incredibly average, meaning that it can't specialize or excel in any offensive or defensive roles outside of checking the same list of Pokemon. While Poliwrath's typing is extremely good for checking specific Rock- and Water-types, it also leaves Poliwrath vulnerable to a wide range of common Grass-, Flying-, Electric-, and Psychic-types, meaning that almost every team will naturally have multiple Poliwrath checks such as Scyther and Mesprit. Lack of reliable recovery means that Poliwrath must use unreliable means such as Rest or a combination of Leftovers and Protect to avoid being worn down too quickly. Poliwrath also faces some competition from other Fighting- and Water-types such as Gurdurr and Lanturn, but while it will usually be outclassed in terms of raw bulk or strength, its niche is incredibly solid because nothing can compress roles quite like Poliwrath.
[SET]
name: Special Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Focus Blast
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Protect / Vacuum Wave / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Timid
evs: 252 HP / 160 SpA / 96 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Poliwrath's most reliable attack, threatening Rock-, Fire-, and Ground-types such as Regirock and Mudsdale as well as forcing switch-ins to consider the risk of being burned. Focus Blast is unreliable but much more powerful, helping to keep Normal-types such as Stoutland in check and providing solid neutral coverage in conjunction with Scald. Toxic is necessary for crippling defensive switch-ins including Mesprit and Jellicent, which Poliwrath otherwise fails to threaten. Protect helps Poliwrath rack up passive recovery and Toxic stall opposing Pokemon, and it is generally the most useful final move, as Poliwrath will constantly need to regenerate more health. Vacuum Wave is another solid option for teams that need to better handle Omastar, Carracosta, and Lycanroc, all of which can KO a weakened Poliwrath once boosted but none of which appreciate a STAB priority Fighting-type attack. Ice Beam allows Poliwrath to 2HKO Alolan Exeggutor, Altaria, and Gourgeist-XL, as well as Tangela without risking Focus Blast missing, but it tends to be less useful in most matchups.
Set Details
========
The given Speed EVs with a Timid nature allow Poliwrath to outspeed Modest Jellicent, Jolly Aggron, Modest Aurorus, and neutral-natured Abomasnow, four Pokemon Poliwrath greatly benefits from being able to move before. Maximum HP investment is used because Poliwrath prioritizes its bulk in order to better switch into threats such as Aggron. The rest of the EVs are dumped into Special Attack to slightly bolster Poliwrath's offenses, but Poliwrath cannot hit especially hard regardless. Leftovers helps provide passive recovery and goes well with Protect, while Water Absorb allows Poliwrath to better check Water-types including Floatzel and Omastar.
Usage Tips
========
Be very thoughtful about how Poliwrath's health is preserved. It is often used to switch into a number of different things, and prioritizing whether it's more important to switch directly into Aggron early-game or play around Aggron by other means and keep Poliwrath healthy for checking Omastar late-game can be a critical decision. If running Ice Beam, don't reveal it too early and obviously. Keeping Poliwrath's fourth moveslot vague can be quite useful in catching opponents off guard. Scald is Poliwrath's most spammable move due to its ability to burn switch-ins and Focus Blast's unreliability, but be aware that there are some foes such as Oricorio-E that Poliwrath would much rather cripple with Toxic than burn. Spreading status with Toxic is also a relatively safe option, as most Poliwrath switch-ins like Lurantis and Swanna are extremely averse to being badly poisoned. However, you'll want to avoid spamming Scald if facing teams with Clefairy. Protect is incredibly valuable, but it is also risky; as good as stalling for Toxic and Leftovers recovery is, you should be cautious about giving threats like Lilligant free turns to set up.
Team Options
========
Wish from Audino, Healing Wish from Mesprit, and Z-Parting Shot from Alolan Persian can significantly improve Poliwrath's longevity and allow it to more freely switch into strong attackers earlier in a match. Poliwrath requires sturdy Psychic-, Grass-, and Flying-type checks due to its very common weaknesses. Thus, Pokemon like Skuntank, Oricorio-G, and Togedemaru are highly recommended. Entry hazard removers such as Lurantis and Altaria are also important, as Poliwrath is extremely susceptible to chip damage from Spikes. Many specially bulky Pokemon, such as Clefairy and the aforementioned Altaria, highly appreciate Poliwrath's ability to check Aggron. Poliwrath is also a good teammate for Pokemon that give Shell Smash Omastar and Carracosta free setup opportunities, like Scyther and Type: Null, which also appreciate Poliwrath's ability to absorb Knock Off fairly well. An Electric-immune Pokemon such as Lanturn or Stunfisk can help to stop opposing Electric-types from freely using Volt Switch versus Poliwrath. General Electric-type checks such as Alolan Exeggutor are also a good investment. Water-weak Pokemon, including Mudsdale and Combusken, benefit from Poliwrath's presence discouraging free usage of Water-type moves. Poliwrath struggles with bulky setup sweepers like Bellossom and Clefairy, which makes stallbreakers like Oricorio-G, Acid Spray Eelektross, and Taunt Aggron ideal partners. Grounded Poison-types like Skuntank and Qwilfish are useful for removing Toxic Spikes, which can cripple Poliwrath. Strong physical wallbreakers such as Stoutland are good teammates, since Poliwrath is complete bait for most specially defensive Pokemon like Clefairy.
[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Circle Throw
move 2: Scald
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Leftovers
ability: Water Absorb
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Circle Throw is a huge selling point for this set, allowing Poliwrath to phaze opposing Pokemon and rack up extra damage in conjunction with Spikes and Stealth Rock. Scald helps Poliwrath threaten switch-ins with a potential burn, as well as hitting Ghost-types such as Froslass. Rest keeps Poliwrath healthy in order to check boosting sweepers and continue phazing over longer games, while Sleep Talk keeps Poliwrath from being completely passive while asleep.
Set Details
========
Maximum HP and Defense investment with a Relaxed nature is used to make Poliwrath as bulky as possible, chewing hits from physical threats like Aggron and Kangaskhan. Leftovers provides a bit of passive recovery given Rest's unreliability. A Rocky Helmet can be used to rack up more chip damage at the cost of forcing Poliwrath to use Rest more frequently. Water Absorb helps Poliwrath to check Water-types like Omastar.
Usage Tips
========
Use Rest whenever needed to keep Poliwrath healthy enough to switch into threats such as Assault Vest Crabominable. However, you should also attempt to avoid doing so whenever it isn't completely necessary, because it forces Poliwrath to rely on Sleep Talk. When lots of entry hazards are up on the opponent's side, use Circle Throw frequently to rack up chip damage. When no hazards are set up, spamming Scald to fish for burns is generally more effective. Poliwrath is a somewhat common and predictable switch-in to many Pokemon including Aggron, Lycanroc, Omastar, and Alolan Raticate, but beware of double switches or somewhat lure sets such as Normalium Z Omastar and Zen Headbutt Carracosta.
Team Options
========
Pursuit trappers such as Skuntank are all but mandatory, as this set is completely unable to damage Jellicent. This set is almost always found on very bulky teams that require a sturdy Rock-, Water-, and Dark-type check, in particular teams that also utilize Spikes. Spikes setters like Froslass and Crustle, as well as Stealth Rock setters such as Clefairy, turn Circle Throw from a weak nuisance into a quick way to rack up extra damage from entry hazards. Sturdy Psychic, Grass, and Flying switch-ins such as Spiritomb, Altaria, and Alolan Sandslash are required due to Poliwrath's plethora of common weaknesses. Specially defensive Pokemon appreciate Poliwrath's ability to check physical wallbreakers such as Kangaskhan. Clefairy, Altaria, and Audino are good examples of both special walls and clerics, which can remove Poliwrath's sleep status and prevent it from relying on Sleep Talk rolls. Dark-weak Pokemon such as Musharna and Haunter appreciate this set's ability to counter most offensive Dark-types save Shiftry. Poliwrath also acts as a Knock Off absorber, which Eviolite-reliant Pokemon like Tangela enjoy. Rapid Spin Alolan Sandslash is a useful teammate, since Poliwrath dislikes Spikes but allows relatively free setup to Froslass and Qwilfish. Defog users such as Skuntank can also be run, but they will remove the entry hazards set by Poliwrath's teammates as well.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Specs sets increase Poliwrath's power while still checking many dangerous sweepers, but Poliwrath remains somewhat weak even with the boost in power. Substitute + Focus Punch sets hit much harder than the special tank set is capable of, but they lack the same amount of longevity and are still checked very hard by many common Pokemon such as Mesprit and Infiltrator Will-O-Wisp Spiritomb. Bulk Up sets, with or without Substitute, can be dangerous wallbreakers, but they are somewhat matchup reliant and still have difficulty breaking through moderately bulky Pokemon such as Scyther and are very easy to revenge kill with anything from Mesprit to Oricorio-E. Earthquake can be used on the special tank set, as it is Poliwrath's best move to hit Lanturn with. However, it has little other utility. Rain Dance sets can attempt to sweep with Swift Swim, but this is generally done better by Ludicolo and Omastar if special or Qwilfish and Kabutops if physical. Poliwrath can also be run on full rain teams as a Belly Drum sweeper, but such a set has difficulties setting up. Z-Hypnosis + Belly Drum sets can help Poliwrath to be a very strong wallbreaker if it is able to land Hypnosis, but they are still fairly easy to revenge kill due to Poliwrath's mediocre Speed. Encore is an annoying utility option that helps Poliwrath not be quite so useless versus special walls, but it isn't exceptionally useful, especially when compared to the constant utility of Protect. Throat Chop can function as an effective Jellicent lure, although it does little else for Poliwrath.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Type-advantaged Pokemon**: Grass-types such as Lilligant and Tangela, Flying-types such as Swanna and Oricorio-G, Psychic-types such as Mesprit and Jynx, and Electric-types such as Manectric and Lanturn can all take on Poliwrath one-on-one fairly easily, with most being able to switch in with little risk. Poliwrath can attempt to phaze them on the switch with Circle Throw, burn them with Scald, or cripple them with Toxic, but it must often make a good prediction to cripple them most effectively. Jellicent is also notable for fearing nothing but Toxic from any Poliwrath set.
**Specially Defensive Pokemon**: Special tank Poliwrath fails to break through most specially bulky Pokemon, including Hitmonchan, Clefairy, and Throh, and is susceptible to being worn down by their attacks or used as setup fodder.
**Chip Damage**: Due to its lack of reliable recovery, Poliwrath is prone to being slowly worn down by
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [Megazard, 202117]
- Quality checked by: [[Darkinium, 448296], [Jklioe, 424692], [2xTheTap, 11407]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [lotiasite, 302985]]
Last edited: