www.smogon.com/dp/pokemon/regirock
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Changes:
I removed:
-Toxic Support (moved to OO)
-Paralysis Support
These two sets would be completely redundant with the new "tank" set, and were redundant in general.
-Counter
Gimmicky OU set, it just basically took up space, and didnt seem competitively viable by any means in any metagame.
-RascalRock (moved to OO)
Similar reason as above, this set basically annoys the opponent, and not much else.
I changed:
-Choice Band
-Curse
-Sleep Talk
-Counters / EVs / Other Options / Opinion sections
I added:
-general "Tank" set
-Team Options paragraphs and section.
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[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 2: Earthquake / Thunder Wave
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Explosion
item: Leftovers
nature: Careful
evs: 252HP / 36 Atk / 220 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Regirock has amazing defensive capabilities, similar to Registeel. However Regirock has the advantage of having a stronger STAB and Attack stat than those of Registeel, allowing it to avoid becoming set up fodder. With Regirock's nearly unmatched defenses, it will get a lot of free turns, allowing it to easily set up Stealth Rock; and as with a few other defensive Pokemon, Regirock can go out with a bang.</p>
<p>Stone Edge is best used with Earthquake, as 8 PP is too little to rely on for a wall such as Regirock. Earthquake also gives Regirock a way to hit Steelix and Registeel, as well as Fighting-types. However, Paralysis support is always useful, and if Thunder Wave is chosen, then Rock Slide becomes the superior option. With Rock Slide, Regirock will not have PP issues, and also benefits from gaining access to a nice flinch chance. If you use Stone Edge and Earthquake you may want to increase Regirock's Attack stat quite a bit so that it can become more threatening as an attacker. Maximizing Regirock's Attack stat makes it hit quite hard for a wall, though it loses walling capability against various Pokemon like Espeon and Mismagius, and is more easily KOed by Yanmega.</p>
<p>Regirock can check Pokemon such as Blaziken, Magmortar, and the like. Blaziken and Magmortar only cause trouble if Regirock is weakened, or if either of them use Focus Blast. With its amazing defenses, Regirock can also check Pokemon such as Mismagius and even some Espeon, easily taking them down with Stone Edge or Rock Slide.</p>
<p>Regirock really enjoys having a Grass-type to sponge the Water and Ground-type attacks thrown at it. Pokemon such as Roserade provide nice support for Regirock, by bringing down bulky Water-types who trouble Regirock. Altaria is another Pokemon who can be of use, being resistant to the Fighting and Water-type attacks aimed at Regirock, and being immune to Ground-type attacks. Both of these Pokemon have recovery moves, so Regirock can be pretty reliant on these Pokemon. Mismagius can take advantage of Regirock's ability to lure Ground and Fighting-type attacks, as it can switch into them all day because of its immunities to these types. Wish support is greatly appreciated with Regirock's lack of a reliable recovery move. Chansey, Umbreon, and even Gardevoir make good Wish passers, as all of these Pokemon lure out physical attacks for Regirock to switch into.</p>
<p>With Explosion, Regirock can put some major holes in the opponent’s team allowing for other Pokemon to sweep. Bulky Water-types like to switch into Regirock, and force it out with a STAB Surf. However, Regirock can take the Surf and explode, eliminating the bulky Water-type. Pokemon such as Agility Blaziken and Azumarill benefit greatly from these Pokemon being removed from the battle, as it will likely allow them to pull off a successful sweep.</p>
[SET]
name: Curse
move 1: Curse
move 2: Rock Slide / Stone Edge
move 3: Sleep Talk / Earthquake
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers / Chesto Berry
nature: Careful
evs: 252HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This set reaches its full potential in the Sandstorm, especially as the last Pokemon standing so that it can't be Roared out. With incredible Defense, and decent Attack and Special Defense, Regirock can set up 6 Curses quite easily in a Sandstorm, and sweep your opponent's team. This set plays similar to "Crocune" in OU, in the sense that it increases its Attack and Defense at the same time, while using Rest to recover HP. Rock Slide is good for sweeping more reliably, however Stone Edge can work well to hit things harder while sleeping.</p>
<p>Since Regirock already boasts an insane Defense stat, Regirock's EVs can be put into Special Defense and HP. Its Special Defense also recieves a boost from Sandstorm.</p>
<p>This Regirock set needs a Pokemon that can set up a permanent Sandstorm. Without Sandstorm in play, Regirock struggles to wall hits to the extent that it needs to. Hippopotas is the only option in UU, but both Tyranitar and Hippowdon can set up a permanent Sandstorm in OU.</p>
<p>In UU, this Regirock set has quite a bit of trouble against Steelix, who has monstrous Defense, Roar, and STAB Earthquake to deal with Regirock. Pokemon such as Nidoking, Magmortar, and Blaziken can OHKO Steelix and other walls that may be in Regirock's way, however Magmortar and Blaziken lack Sandstorm immunity, so Nidoking might be the preferred choice.</p>
<p>In OU, Perish Song Celebi and Calm Mind Suicune are major threats to this Regirock set. Celebi has tough defenses, and Recover off most of Regirock's damage, though it has trouble after some Curses. Grass Knot hits Regirock for super effective as well. With Suicune's excellent Defense and HP, it can take Stone Edge or Rock Slide quite easily, and set up its own Calm Minds and later OHKO Regirock with a STAB Surf. Luckily, one of the Sandstorm providers can deal with Celebi, who is weak to Tyranitar's STAB Pursuit. Suicune is best dealt with by something that can hit it with a strong super effective attack, such as a Celebi of your own. Zapdos works well too, hitting Celebi with Heat Wave and Suicune with Thunderbolt while Roosting off most of the damage and quickly wearing out Perish Song's PP.</p>
[SET]
name: Rest + Sleep Talk
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Sleep Talk
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 36 Atk / 220 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Since Regirock's only way to recover HP is Rest, a generic Sleep Talk set can be used. Stone Edge and Earthquake provide good coverage, and take advantage of Regirock's solid base 100 Attack. With the bulk allotted from this set, Regirock can wall a good portion of the UU metagame while not becoming set up fodder due to his good Attack stat.</p>
<p>This Regirock set benefits greatly from Toxic Spike support. Roserade is a great option, because it can take the Surfs and Hydro Pumps aimed at Regirock. This Regirock allows you to more effectively use Pokemon that are weak to Fire and Flying-type attacks (such as Registeel or Torterra), because of this Regirock's added bulkiness from Rest and Sleep Talk.</p>
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Stone Edge
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Ice Punch
move 4: Explosion
item: Choice Band
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Regirock's Attack stat is often overshadowed by its monstrous Defense stat. Even though Regirock is terribly slow, it is incredibly bulky and powerful working off a base 100 Attack stat.</p>
<p>Stone Edge is Regirock's main STAB attack, and will dent almost everything that does not resist it. Earthquake is a nice coverage move, hitting Steelix for super effective damage, and also taking care of Registeel quite easily. Ice Punch is there to KO Pokemon such as Torterra and Claydol who completely wall Stone Edge and Earthquake. A Choice Band boosted Explosion is a sight to behold, especially from 328 Attack.</p>
<p>This is one of the few Pokemon in UU who take advantage of the presence of Pokemon such as Honchkrow and Yanmega. Venusaur is probably the best partner for this Regirock set, as it lures out the two previously mentioned Pokemon (Honchkrow and Yanmega), and also is able to take hits from the bulky Water-type Pokemon who give this set trouble. With Honchkrow and Yanmega out of the way, Mismagius and Espeon all have much easier times setting up successful sweeps.</p>
[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Earthquake / Counter
move 3: Stone Edge
move 4: Explosion
item: Life Orb
nature: Adamant
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With respectable Attack, and high enough Speed, Regirock can run a nice Rock Polish set. The main advantage of using Regirock over something like Rhydon, is that Regirock has better defenses and less weaknesses. This allows Regirock to set up on Pokemon like Espeon or Mismagius, or even an Azumarill locked into Aqua Jet. The second advantage is that it doesn't get completely stopped by Hitmontop's Intimidate due to Clear Body. Explosion is also a plus. The strategy is relatively simple: you start off by weakening your counters with Stone Edge and Earthquake, and use Rock Polish when they're weak enough to KO. After that, you sweep until there is something you can't KO and threatens to KO you in return. When this occurs, use Explosion to knock out that Pokemon as well, possibly creating a hole for another Pokemon to sweep.</p>
<p>Counter can be used over Earthquake to possibly nab two quick KOs, one by countering a weak physical attacker and one by using Explosion. With Regirock's naturally bulky defenses, it can survive even Life Orb boosted STAB Close Combats from Hitmontop.</p>
<p>While this Regirock has Explosion to use when some of its counters show up, that's sometimes not enough to take down various Pokemon who resist it. Steelix is this set's absolute worst enemy, because it takes an Earthquake or Explosion with ease, and can 2HKO with Earthquake and Life Orb recoil. Since Regirock can take Fire and Flying attacks with ease, a Pokemon like Tangrowth, Roserade, or Venasaur can help sponge weaker Ground and Water-type attacks aimed at Regirock from its counters. Exploding on a bulky Water-type gives Pokemon like Moltres and Azumarill a nice path to sweep as well, with the former taking Ground and Grass-type attacks, and the latter taking Water-type attacks.</p>
[Team Options]
<p>With most of Regirock's sets, Toxic Spikes help a significant amount allowing it to easily outstall a significant portion of the UU metagame. While Sandstorm support is not required by any means, it certainly helps Regirock obtain its full potential and makes it extremely hard to take down Regirock. In UU, Hippopotas is the only option for Sandstorm support, and in OU Tyranitar and Hippowdon can be used.</p>
<p>Regirock is not a sweeper, so it does not really need help from other Pokemon in that regard. Regirock will however help Pokemon who benefit from its Explosion and Stealth Rock support. Fire-types and sweeping Water-types (for example, Azumarill) absolutely benefit from a Pokemon such as Milotic or Slowbro gone via Explosion. Pokemon such as Espeon, Mismagius, and Yanmega benefit greatly from Stealth Rock support and also the removal of Honchkrow, which Regirock can do.</p>
<p>As a pure Rock-type, Regirock is weak to Grass-, Water-, Ground-, Fighting-, and Steel-type attacks. While this seems like a hefty amount, you have to account for the fact that there is no Metagross in UU to Meteor Mash, making a Steel-type weakness matter little. STAB Grass-type attacks are basically seen from three Pokemon, which are Torterra, Roserade, and Venusaur. Water-type attacks are seen from many bulky Water-types such as Milotic, Slowbro, and Azumarill. Ground and Fighting-type attacks are basically seen everywhere making Mismagius a great partner for Regirock with its immunities. Venusaur is a great partner as well, taking Grass- and Water-type attacks as if they were nothing. Regirock can basically take any Fire or Flying-type attack aimed at Venusaur as well.</p>
<p>Luckily for Regirock, the Pokemon who are often used with Regirock's counters are easily beaten by Regirock himself. Slowbro and Milotic are often seen with Arcanine and Altaria, which Regirock easily handles with a STAB attack. This leads to the temptation to switch to the bulky Water-types. If Regirock's job is done, keep your finger on Explosion against these Pokemon to KO the bulky Water-type on the switch.</p>
<p>Regirock is often too valuable to explode early game, because of its great defenses and the ability to counter Fire-types quite well, so double switching at least until you are sure that your opponent is going to send in the Pokemon you want blown up helps you get the most out of Regirock.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Not anything special really. Toxic can be used over Thunder Wave on the Tank set effectively since Regirock lures out bulky Water-types who dislike Toxic. Rest can be used over Explosion as well, but Explosion is usually the better choice, as it is the most powerful attack in the game.</p>
<p>A "RascalRock" set can be used, with Swagger, Thunder Wave, Rock Slide and a filler like Psych Up. This set would basically just annoy your opponent, but not do much more than that. A set with Counter can be used, as Pokemon such as Steelix will commonly use physical attacks to try and take Regirock down, however Regirock often has trouble giving up a moveslot for Counter, except on the Rock Polish set.</p>
<p>Regirock has a decent special movepool, but its Special Attack is horrible and is not worth using, ever.</p>
[EVs]
<p>The standard EV spread for Regirock in UU is 252 HP / 36 Atk / 220 SpD. This spread boosts Regirock's defensiveness to the extreme, with 364 HP, 436 Defense, and 320 Special Defense. Special Defense isn't maximized completely, because it just needs to avoid getting 2HKOed from a +1 STAB Psychic from Espeon, and the rest of the EVs are just dumped into Attack. Although with more offensive EVs, Regirock can really abuse its awesome defensive stats and nice Attack.</p>
<p>The Choice Band set is slightly more offensive, and maximizes Attack to hit as hard as possible. HP is still maximized to take more hits from across the spectrum and still be able to switch in more effectively, Regirock isn’t outspeeding anything anyway.</p>
[Opinion]
<p>Regirock is often overshadowed by Registeel for its defensive stats on both sides of the spectrum, and by Registeel’s superior set of resistances. However, Regirock is coming back into its rightful place now, with all of the Fire-types and such running around the UU metagame. Regirock has a superior Attack and STAB move as well, to deal with Honchkrow and other Pokemon who Registeel has trouble with.</p>
<p>Regirock is one of the best walls in UU, because of its ability to set up Stealth Rock reliably, counter many top threats in the metagame, and explode when it’s finished. Regirock can take hits from across the board while also dishing them back out, which is Regirock's main advantage over the other walls in UU (such as Chansey, Registeel, and even Steelix).</p>
<p>If you are in need of a Pokemon with high defenses, decent resistances, and a solid Attack stat, Regirock is definitely a good choice for your team.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Regirock has many counters, due to being more defensively oriented. Steelix is a good switch-in to Regirock, as it takes next to nothing from a STAB attack, and very little damage from Earthquake as well. Steelix can put a dent in Regirock with its STAB Earthquake, and eventually KO Regirock. Similarly, Pokemon such as Rhydon, Relicanth, and Omastar can switch into almost any attack from Regirock with their high Defense stat, and KO Regirock with a STAB Earthquake or Surf.</p>
<p>Bulky Water-types such as Slowbro and Milotic can switch into Regirock with ease, and KO Regirock with a STAB Surf. However, Regirock can deal major damage to these threats with Explosion as they do not have the crucial resistance to it. Venusaur can switch into almost any attack as well, while threatening to KO Regirock with a STAB Grass-type attack.</p>
<p>Blaziken can KO Regirock with Superpower if it switches into a Fire Blast or a super effective Hidden Power, however Regirock can survive a Superpower if it has taken very little prior damage. An offensive Calm Mind Espeon can 2HKO Regirock with a +1 Life Orb boosted STAB Psychic, while the Leftovers variant can't, so Regirock will need to think twice before switching in.</p>
