Sevi 7
Semi-retired
[OVERVIEW]
Poliwrath has a good HP and Defense stat and decent Special. Poliwrath also has a wide movepool, including Hypnosis. Both of which make Poliwrath a good tank that can immediately threaten opponents, making it great for bulky offense teams. However, Poliwrath is slow and is weak to many common attacks, including Psychic and Thunderbolt. Poliwrath also lacks instant recovery, making it difficult to stay in for very long. If one takes advantage of its strengths though, Poliwrath can fit well into bulky offense strategies.
[SET]
name: Mixed Tank
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Blizzard/Surf
move 3: Hypnosis / Amnesia
move 4: Earthquake / Rest / Amnesia
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Poliwrath doesn’t have a lot of power behind its punches, so it's better focusing on weakening a team and allowing other powerful hitters, like Kangaskhan or Persian, to wallbreak or sweep. Body Slam achieves this by spreading paralysis to common switch-ins like Tentacruel and Kadabara. Blizzard is used to help check Dragonite and Venusaur, both of whom can cause trouble for Poliwrath with Wrap and Razor Leaf respectfully. However, Surf can be used instead to always KO Dugtrio after it uses Substitute or 3HKO Kangaskhan and Persian. Hypnosis makes Poliwrath an immediate threat, and forces out Dugtrio and Articuno as they set up Substitute or Agility respectfully. Poliwrath is also faster than Hypno, and can switch in as Hypno wakes up from a Rest and then threatens to put it back to sleep. This can be an excellent way to incapacitate an opponent’s Hypno; however, Poliwrath needs to be very wary of Hypnosis’ 60% accuracy, as missing Hypnosis could mean that Poliwrath becomes incapaciated itself. If your team has an abundance of sleepers, and Hypnosis may never have the opportunity to be used, Amnesia can replace it for extra power and bulk. Poliwrath has a few different options for its last move. Earthquake can be used for coverage, always 2HKOing Electabuzz and Raichu, and having a chance to 2HKO Tentacruel and Kadabra. A Body Slam paralysis followed by an Earthquake can be a very threatening combination. On the other hand, Rest gives Poliwrath recovery and more opportunities to tank hits. Dugtrio and Articuno become more manageable with Rest. However, Poliwrath can still be KOed by a critical hit and is very vulnerable while asleep. Finally, Amnesia can work to boost Blizzard or Surf’s power. This can be helpful in the late game, when Poliwrath’s biggest threats are all statused or KOed.
Poliwrath is best used as a check to Dugtrio and/or Articuno, while also being able to come in on a physical attack. Poliwrath can then put something to sleep with Hypnosis, attempt to paralyze with Body Slam, or go for damage with a different attacking move. Poliwrath does not have much longevity, so it needs to do as much as it can with whatever time it has. Getting Poliwrath in against Dugtrio in the early game is a great way to do this. Poliwrath has complete control of the game’s momentum as it can now use Hypnosis without fear. Because of this lead Electabuzz makes a good partner, as it can draw out Dugtrio right away. Electabuzz also helps with Vaporeon, which Poliwrath struggles to KO, as well as spread paralysis to help Amnesia Poliwrath sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poliwrath has a couple of additional options for its 4th move as well. Counter can be used for when Poliwrath switches into a Normal-type attack, such as Persian’s Slash or Kangaskhan’s Body Slam. The opponent will then switch into a paralyzed Pokemon, fearing the Hypnosis, but Poliwrath can then use Counter to KO that paralyzed Pokemon instead. Submission always 2HKOs Persian and Raticate, and can 2HKO Kangaskhan, Dewgong and Clefable. It also 3HKOs Omastar. However, several of those Pokemon are not commonly used, so Submission generally has less utility than Poliwrath’s other options. Ice Beam can replace Blizzard if Poliwrath has Rest. Ice Beam KOs Dragonite and Tangela in the same amount of turns; however, Ice Beam’s extra PP can help it attempt a freeze against Vaproeon and Omastar, both of whom Poliwrath can struggle to KO. However, Ice Beam cannot KO Dugtrio after it uses Substitute and does noticeably less damage to Venusaur. Poliwrath may also get frozen by an opposing Blizzard first instead. Thus, Poliwrath is better with Blizzard most of the time. Toxic can also be used instead of Hypnosis or as Poliwrath’s 4th move. Toxic’s main target is Dragonite and Dragonair to hinder their infamous Agility and Wrap combo. However, if Poliwrath is also using Rest, Toxic forces slow bulky Water-type Pokemon to Rest earlier and can help prevent Articuno from sweeping. Toxic comes with a big opportunity cost though, and is therefore not often recommended. Finally, Poliwrath can run Amnesia with Surf, Blizzard, and/or Psychic to sweep in the late game. However, Poliwrath is generally too slow to make use of such a set and needs lots of paralysis support to pull off such a set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Venusaur**: Venusaur is faster than Poliwrath, and has Sleep Powder and Razor Leaf. Therefore, Venusaur is great at checking Poliwrath. Poliwrath does have Hypnosis and can chip down Venusaur with Blizzard. However, Blizzard can only 3HKO, which means after Poliwrath has put another Pokemon to sleep and barring a freeze, Venusaur can safely come in and use Sleep Powder or attack freely with Body Slam or Razor Leaf. Thanks to Razor Leaf’s near guaranteed critical hit, Poliwrath’s Amnesia does not help its survivability, and is forced out just as it would if it were unboosted.
**Psychic and Thunderbolt Users**: Poliwrath can take some hits well, but Psychic and Thunderbolt is a point of vulnerability. Kadabra, Hypno, Electabuzz and Raichu always 2HKO Poliwrath. Meanwhile Dragonite, Haunter and Gyarados have a chance to 2HKO Poliwrath with Thunderbolt. Some other Thunderbolt users, such as Persian and Clefable, can 3HKO Poliwrath as well. Switching into Poliwrath may not always be easy, however. Poliwrath has Hypnosis and Body Slam to status them as they switch in, Earthquake 2HKOs Electabuzz, Raichu and Haunter, and Blizzard 2HKOs Dragonite. The occasional Submission also can 2HKO Persian and Clefable, who many normally feel safe coming in on a Body Slam.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: Poliwrath has trouble damaging Vaporeon and Gyarados, and struggles to damage Tentacruel, Omastar and Dewgong without a proper coverage move. These Pokemon can therefore switch in and take momentum away from Poliwrath. However, Poliwrath does have Body Slam to paralyze, which is especially crippling to Tentacruel, and can use the slower Water-types as an opportunity to boost its Special with Amnesia.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sevi 7, 505149]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
Poliwrath has a good HP and Defense stat and decent Special. Poliwrath also has a wide movepool, including Hypnosis. Both of which make Poliwrath a good tank that can immediately threaten opponents, making it great for bulky offense teams. However, Poliwrath is slow and is weak to many common attacks, including Psychic and Thunderbolt. Poliwrath also lacks instant recovery, making it difficult to stay in for very long. If one takes advantage of its strengths though, Poliwrath can fit well into bulky offense strategies.
[SET]
name: Mixed Tank
move 1: Body Slam
move 2: Blizzard/Surf
move 3: Hypnosis / Amnesia
move 4: Earthquake / Rest / Amnesia
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Description
=========
Poliwrath doesn’t have a lot of power behind its punches, so it's better focusing on weakening a team and allowing other powerful hitters, like Kangaskhan or Persian, to wallbreak or sweep. Body Slam achieves this by spreading paralysis to common switch-ins like Tentacruel and Kadabara. Blizzard is used to help check Dragonite and Venusaur, both of whom can cause trouble for Poliwrath with Wrap and Razor Leaf respectfully. However, Surf can be used instead to always KO Dugtrio after it uses Substitute or 3HKO Kangaskhan and Persian. Hypnosis makes Poliwrath an immediate threat, and forces out Dugtrio and Articuno as they set up Substitute or Agility respectfully. Poliwrath is also faster than Hypno, and can switch in as Hypno wakes up from a Rest and then threatens to put it back to sleep. This can be an excellent way to incapacitate an opponent’s Hypno; however, Poliwrath needs to be very wary of Hypnosis’ 60% accuracy, as missing Hypnosis could mean that Poliwrath becomes incapaciated itself. If your team has an abundance of sleepers, and Hypnosis may never have the opportunity to be used, Amnesia can replace it for extra power and bulk. Poliwrath has a few different options for its last move. Earthquake can be used for coverage, always 2HKOing Electabuzz and Raichu, and having a chance to 2HKO Tentacruel and Kadabra. A Body Slam paralysis followed by an Earthquake can be a very threatening combination. On the other hand, Rest gives Poliwrath recovery and more opportunities to tank hits. Dugtrio and Articuno become more manageable with Rest. However, Poliwrath can still be KOed by a critical hit and is very vulnerable while asleep. Finally, Amnesia can work to boost Blizzard or Surf’s power. This can be helpful in the late game, when Poliwrath’s biggest threats are all statused or KOed.
Poliwrath is best used as a check to Dugtrio and/or Articuno, while also being able to come in on a physical attack. Poliwrath can then put something to sleep with Hypnosis, attempt to paralyze with Body Slam, or go for damage with a different attacking move. Poliwrath does not have much longevity, so it needs to do as much as it can with whatever time it has. Getting Poliwrath in against Dugtrio in the early game is a great way to do this. Poliwrath has complete control of the game’s momentum as it can now use Hypnosis without fear. Because of this lead Electabuzz makes a good partner, as it can draw out Dugtrio right away. Electabuzz also helps with Vaporeon, which Poliwrath struggles to KO, as well as spread paralysis to help Amnesia Poliwrath sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Poliwrath has a couple of additional options for its 4th move as well. Counter can be used for when Poliwrath switches into a Normal-type attack, such as Persian’s Slash or Kangaskhan’s Body Slam. The opponent will then switch into a paralyzed Pokemon, fearing the Hypnosis, but Poliwrath can then use Counter to KO that paralyzed Pokemon instead. Submission always 2HKOs Persian and Raticate, and can 2HKO Kangaskhan, Dewgong and Clefable. It also 3HKOs Omastar. However, several of those Pokemon are not commonly used, so Submission generally has less utility than Poliwrath’s other options. Ice Beam can replace Blizzard if Poliwrath has Rest. Ice Beam KOs Dragonite and Tangela in the same amount of turns; however, Ice Beam’s extra PP can help it attempt a freeze against Vaproeon and Omastar, both of whom Poliwrath can struggle to KO. However, Ice Beam cannot KO Dugtrio after it uses Substitute and does noticeably less damage to Venusaur. Poliwrath may also get frozen by an opposing Blizzard first instead. Thus, Poliwrath is better with Blizzard most of the time. Toxic can also be used instead of Hypnosis or as Poliwrath’s 4th move. Toxic’s main target is Dragonite and Dragonair to hinder their infamous Agility and Wrap combo. However, if Poliwrath is also using Rest, Toxic forces slow bulky Water-type Pokemon to Rest earlier and can help prevent Articuno from sweeping. Toxic comes with a big opportunity cost though, and is therefore not often recommended. Finally, Poliwrath can run Amnesia with Surf, Blizzard, and/or Psychic to sweep in the late game. However, Poliwrath is generally too slow to make use of such a set and needs lots of paralysis support to pull off such a set.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Venusaur**: Venusaur is faster than Poliwrath, and has Sleep Powder and Razor Leaf. Therefore, Venusaur is great at checking Poliwrath. Poliwrath does have Hypnosis and can chip down Venusaur with Blizzard. However, Blizzard can only 3HKO, which means after Poliwrath has put another Pokemon to sleep and barring a freeze, Venusaur can safely come in and use Sleep Powder or attack freely with Body Slam or Razor Leaf. Thanks to Razor Leaf’s near guaranteed critical hit, Poliwrath’s Amnesia does not help its survivability, and is forced out just as it would if it were unboosted.
**Psychic and Thunderbolt Users**: Poliwrath can take some hits well, but Psychic and Thunderbolt is a point of vulnerability. Kadabra, Hypno, Electabuzz and Raichu always 2HKO Poliwrath. Meanwhile Dragonite, Haunter and Gyarados have a chance to 2HKO Poliwrath with Thunderbolt. Some other Thunderbolt users, such as Persian and Clefable, can 3HKO Poliwrath as well. Switching into Poliwrath may not always be easy, however. Poliwrath has Hypnosis and Body Slam to status them as they switch in, Earthquake 2HKOs Electabuzz, Raichu and Haunter, and Blizzard 2HKOs Dragonite. The occasional Submission also can 2HKO Persian and Clefable, who many normally feel safe coming in on a Body Slam.
**Bulky Water-type Pokemon**: Poliwrath has trouble damaging Vaporeon and Gyarados, and struggles to damage Tentacruel, Omastar and Dewgong without a proper coverage move. These Pokemon can therefore switch in and take momentum away from Poliwrath. However, Poliwrath does have Body Slam to paralyze, which is especially crippling to Tentacruel, and can use the slower Water-types as an opportunity to boost its Special with Amnesia.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Sevi 7, 505149]]
- Quality checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
- Grammar checked by: [[, ], [, ]]
