One of my personal favourite defensive mons.
Golem.
[Overview]
<p>Regirock sits in a decent place within the NU metagame, boasting the most physical bulk and checking many of NU's top-tier physical threats, such as Swellow, Kangaskhan, and Braviary, with its mono-Rock typing. Furthermore, it is equipped with a great Attack stat, making it an effective, hard-hitting tank. Along with its access to a variety of support options, Regirock is undeniably a tough threat to take down without strong super effective STAB attacks. However, Regirock does come with evident flaws, most notably its lack of reliable recovery. This makes it vulnerable to wear and tear, eventually succumbing to the damage it's meant to be taking. On top of that, the same Rock typing that makes Regirock a great answer to the sweepers mentioned above leaves it with weaknesses to common Water-, Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type attacks. Due to this, many powerful attackers, such as Samurott, Exeggutor, Golurk, and Sawk, can greatly hinder Regirock's performance.</p>
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Regirock's best set in the current metagame. With its excellent defensive capabilities and viable offensive presence, Regirock makes a great Stealth Rock user and status spreader for any kind of team. Stone Edge hits very hard off of Regirock's high Attack stat, 2HKOing many non-physically defensive Pokemon at the least. However, if power isn't an issue, Rock Slide is still a great alternative given its higher PP and accuracy. Drain Punch provides fantastic coverage alongside Regirock's Rock-type attack of choice, smacking the likes of Bastiodon, Probopass, and Lickilicky hard. It also provides beneficial recovery, something Regirock lacks a reliable source of. The last slot is dedicated to Regirock's status move of choice. Toxic is great for crippling Pokemon Regirock has a hard time getting by, such as Golurk, Alomomola, and Tangela, while Thunder Wave works great for hampering Regirock's prominent switch-ins, such as Sawk and Primeape, accommodates for its middling Speed, and pairs excellently with Rock Slide's flinch chance.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>In the last slot, Curse is a decent alternative if you prefer Regirock to combat boosting sweepers better, most notably Bulk Up Braviary, and is generally useful to improve Regirock's damage output and Defense stat. However, note that this leaves Regirock completely walled by the omnipresent Golurk. Rocky Helmet is a reasonable alternative to Leftovers if you prefer to punish physical attackers, such as Miltank and Swellow, even further. In terms of the EV spread, it focuses on helping Regirock tank hits and dish attacks out hard, as well as outpacing max Speed Torkoal. An Impish nature is preferred to help with the physical threats that Regirock is meant to check better, as an Adamant nature generally doesn't help Regirock score any notable kills.</p>
<p>Given that Regirock lacks any sort of reliable recovery, Wish support is greatly appreciated. Lickilicky and Audino are great in this department, as they help deal with the special onslaughts Regirock often comes across and can provide Heal Bell support in the event that Regirock is crippled with status. It's also recommended to use Pokemon that capitalize on Regirock's weaknesses. Exeggutor is a great option, as it resists Regirock's common Fighting-, Water-, Grass-, and Ground-type weaknesses, and Regirock can assist with its Fire- and Flying-type weaknesses. Ludicolo is also a great choice to look into, resisting Regirock's Ground- and Water-type weaknesses, and reasonably deals with Golurk, Regirock's main nemesis. Golurk itself is also an excellent partner, being immune to Regirock's Fighting-type weakness. It should be noted that Choice Band Golurk and specially defensive Ludicolo make a very effective balanced core with Regirock.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Regirock is equipped with an enormous movepool, but unfortunately it is flooded with underwhelming options. A RestTalk set can be used to compensate for Regirock's lack of recovery and, when paired with Curse, can be a decent mono-attacker with Rock Slide; however, Regirock's common weaknesses can make this difficult to execute. It's also possible to utilize a Chesto Berry with Rest to prevent being setup fodder from sleeping. A specially defensive EV spread is an effective alternative if you wish Regirock to check special attackers, such as Eelektross, Zebstrika, and Haunter, better. Regirock also has access to a variety of special attacks, such as Earth Power, Focus Blast, Charge Beam, Thunderbolt, and more, but its pitiful Special Attack makes them unusable. The elemental punches are available for use and hit certain Pokemon that can be an issue, such as Fire Punch for Bronzor and Metang, ThunderPunch for Alomomola, and Ice Punch for Tangela, but these punches are typically not strong enough to make running them worthwhile and Stone Edge hits just as hard normally as they do super effectively. Hammer Arm and Superpower can be used for a stronger Fighting-type attack, but Drain Punch is a lot more beneficial, as it hits decently enough and replenishes some of Regirock's HP. Earthquake is also an alternative to Drain Punch to have the EdgeQuake combination, but Drain Punch already hits almost everything that Earthquake would be used for and has better overall coverage. Explosion can be used to surprise an unsuspecting opponent and can work on a Custap Berry set; however, Golem and Gigalith run it better and if you do choose to use it, you sacrifice your Normal- and Flying-type check. Due to Regirock's great bulk, it can be a reliable Sunny Day or Gravity supporter. Lastly, Regirock can execute a Swagger + Psych Up tactic, but this is generally not worth it given how unreliable it is.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Golurk is the number one Regirock counter. It's immune to Drain Punch and Thunder Wave, and packs a resistance to Regirock's STAB attacks, allowing it to freely switch in and pulverize Regirock with a STAB Earthquake, DynamicPunch, or even Drain Punch of its own. Toxic is all that Golurk needs to watch out for.</p>
<p>Anything with enough Defense generally works well against Regirock, being able to sponge its attacks and set up on it. Garbodor can spill layers of Toxic Spikes or Spikes, Alomomola can Toxic stall it, Tangela can sap it with Giga Drain, and Golem can smash it with its STAB Earthquake, among others; however, they must be cautious of Regirock carrying status. Regirock's also susceptible to burn and poison status, and without any form of reliable recovery, the residual damage will often overwhelm it.</p>
<p>Strong attackers that carry STAB super effective moves can break through Regirock's defenses. These include Sawk, Primeape, Seismitoad, Gorebyss, and Exeggutor. Furthermore, a number of Pokemon can set up against it, such as Bulk Up Gurdurr and Throh, who both don't mind status thanks to their Guts ability; Substitute + Nasty Plot Misdreavus, who can block status ailments and is bulky enough to take hits; and Swords Dance Samurott, who's also not significantly hampered by status.</p>
Hopefully I didn't miss anything blatantly obvious. This is ready for QC.
Golem.
[Overview]
<p>Regirock sits in a decent place within the NU metagame, boasting the most physical bulk and checking many of NU's top-tier physical threats, such as Swellow, Kangaskhan, and Braviary, with its mono-Rock typing. Furthermore, it is equipped with a great Attack stat, making it an effective, hard-hitting tank. Along with its access to a variety of support options, Regirock is undeniably a tough threat to take down without strong super effective STAB attacks. However, Regirock does come with evident flaws, most notably its lack of reliable recovery. This makes it vulnerable to wear and tear, eventually succumbing to the damage it's meant to be taking. On top of that, the same Rock typing that makes Regirock a great answer to the sweepers mentioned above leaves it with weaknesses to common Water-, Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type attacks. Due to this, many powerful attackers, such as Samurott, Exeggutor, Golurk, and Sawk, can greatly hinder Regirock's performance.</p>
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Regirock's best set in the current metagame. With its excellent defensive capabilities and viable offensive presence, Regirock makes a great Stealth Rock user and status spreader for any kind of team. Stone Edge hits very hard off of Regirock's high Attack stat, 2HKOing many non-physically defensive Pokemon at the least. However, if power isn't an issue, Rock Slide is still a great alternative given its higher PP and accuracy. Drain Punch provides fantastic coverage alongside Regirock's Rock-type attack of choice, smacking the likes of Bastiodon, Probopass, and Lickilicky hard. It also provides beneficial recovery, something Regirock lacks a reliable source of. The last slot is dedicated to Regirock's status move of choice. Toxic is great for crippling Pokemon Regirock has a hard time getting by, such as Golurk, Alomomola, and Tangela, while Thunder Wave works great for hampering Regirock's prominent switch-ins, such as Sawk and Primeape, accommodates for its middling Speed, and pairs excellently with Rock Slide's flinch chance.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>In the last slot, Curse is a decent alternative if you prefer Regirock to combat boosting sweepers better, most notably Bulk Up Braviary, and is generally useful to improve Regirock's damage output and Defense stat. However, note that this leaves Regirock completely walled by the omnipresent Golurk. Rocky Helmet is a reasonable alternative to Leftovers if you prefer to punish physical attackers, such as Miltank and Swellow, even further. In terms of the EV spread, it focuses on helping Regirock tank hits and dish attacks out hard, as well as outpacing max Speed Torkoal. An Impish nature is preferred to help with the physical threats that Regirock is meant to check better, as an Adamant nature generally doesn't help Regirock score any notable kills.</p>
<p>Given that Regirock lacks any sort of reliable recovery, Wish support is greatly appreciated. Lickilicky and Audino are great in this department, as they help deal with the special onslaughts Regirock often comes across and can provide Heal Bell support in the event that Regirock is crippled with status. It's also recommended to use Pokemon that capitalize on Regirock's weaknesses. Exeggutor is a great option, as it resists Regirock's common Fighting-, Water-, Grass-, and Ground-type weaknesses, and Regirock can assist with its Fire- and Flying-type weaknesses. Ludicolo is also a great choice to look into, resisting Regirock's Ground- and Water-type weaknesses, and reasonably deals with Golurk, Regirock's main nemesis. Golurk itself is also an excellent partner, being immune to Regirock's Fighting-type weakness. It should be noted that Choice Band Golurk and specially defensive Ludicolo make a very effective balanced core with Regirock.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Regirock is equipped with an enormous movepool, but unfortunately it is flooded with underwhelming options. A RestTalk set can be used to compensate for Regirock's lack of recovery and, when paired with Curse, can be a decent mono-attacker with Rock Slide; however, Regirock's common weaknesses can make this difficult to execute. It's also possible to utilize a Chesto Berry with Rest to prevent being setup fodder from sleeping. A specially defensive EV spread is an effective alternative if you wish Regirock to check special attackers, such as Eelektross, Zebstrika, and Haunter, better. Regirock also has access to a variety of special attacks, such as Earth Power, Focus Blast, Charge Beam, Thunderbolt, and more, but its pitiful Special Attack makes them unusable. The elemental punches are available for use and hit certain Pokemon that can be an issue, such as Fire Punch for Bronzor and Metang, ThunderPunch for Alomomola, and Ice Punch for Tangela, but these punches are typically not strong enough to make running them worthwhile and Stone Edge hits just as hard normally as they do super effectively. Hammer Arm and Superpower can be used for a stronger Fighting-type attack, but Drain Punch is a lot more beneficial, as it hits decently enough and replenishes some of Regirock's HP. Earthquake is also an alternative to Drain Punch to have the EdgeQuake combination, but Drain Punch already hits almost everything that Earthquake would be used for and has better overall coverage. Explosion can be used to surprise an unsuspecting opponent and can work on a Custap Berry set; however, Golem and Gigalith run it better and if you do choose to use it, you sacrifice your Normal- and Flying-type check. Due to Regirock's great bulk, it can be a reliable Sunny Day or Gravity supporter. Lastly, Regirock can execute a Swagger + Psych Up tactic, but this is generally not worth it given how unreliable it is.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>Golurk is the number one Regirock counter. It's immune to Drain Punch and Thunder Wave, and packs a resistance to Regirock's STAB attacks, allowing it to freely switch in and pulverize Regirock with a STAB Earthquake, DynamicPunch, or even Drain Punch of its own. Toxic is all that Golurk needs to watch out for.</p>
<p>Anything with enough Defense generally works well against Regirock, being able to sponge its attacks and set up on it. Garbodor can spill layers of Toxic Spikes or Spikes, Alomomola can Toxic stall it, Tangela can sap it with Giga Drain, and Golem can smash it with its STAB Earthquake, among others; however, they must be cautious of Regirock carrying status. Regirock's also susceptible to burn and poison status, and without any form of reliable recovery, the residual damage will often overwhelm it.</p>
<p>Strong attackers that carry STAB super effective moves can break through Regirock's defenses. These include Sawk, Primeape, Seismitoad, Gorebyss, and Exeggutor. Furthermore, a number of Pokemon can set up against it, such as Bulk Up Gurdurr and Throh, who both don't mind status thanks to their Guts ability; Substitute + Nasty Plot Misdreavus, who can block status ailments and is bulky enough to take hits; and Swords Dance Samurott, who's also not significantly hampered by status.</p>
[Overview]
name: Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- excellent overall bulk, boasting the second highest Defense in NU, and its mono Rock typing makes it a reliable check to many physical threats, such as Swellow, Kangaskhan, and Braviary
- decent Attack, transforming it into an effective tank
- reliable supporter
- tough to take down without strong super effective STAB moves
- the same Rock typing also leaves it susceptible to a variety of common offensive types, such as Fighting, Water, and Grass
- lack of reliable recovery hinders it's tanking ability
name: Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Stone Edge / Rock Slide
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
nature: Impish
evs: 240 HP / 252 Atk / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
- reliable Stealth Rock setter, taking advantage of that base 100 Attack stat
- Stone Edge for a strong STAB, 2HKOing many non-defensive Pokemon, but Rock Slide can be used for its reliable accuracy
- Drain Punch to round off coverage and giving Regirock a form of recovery, also hitting things such as Probopass, Miltank, and Klang
- Toxic helps against bulkier physical threats and cripples Golurk, who otherwise completely walls Regirock
- Thunder Wave to paralyze threatening sweepers and helps with Rock Slide flinching
- EV spread ensures Regirock can tank a couple hits and dish back hard, while outpacing max Speed Torkoal
- Impish nature to take physical attacks better from common Normal-types, such as Tauros's and Kangaskhan's Earthquake, and retaliate back with Drain Punch
- Rocky Helmet is a viable alternative to punish physical users such as Miltank, Tauros, Swellow, and Braviary
- Curse helps Regirock against boosting sweepers, particularly SubBU Braviary, and generally is useful for Regirock to hit very hard with its attacks, but leaves it open to Golurk
- due to lack of reliable recovery, Wish support is beneficial; Lickilicky works well as it can also sponge special attacks aimed at Regirock and has Heal Bell in case Regirock gets crippled
- recommended to use Pokemon that capitalize on Regirock's common weaknesses
- Exeggutor handles the Water-, Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type attacks, while Regirock takes on Fire- and Flying-types
- Ludicolo resists Regirock's Water-, Ground-, and Steel-type weaknesses, while Regirock compensates for its Flying weakness
- Golurk makes a good partner for its ability to take on the Fighting-type attacks; it should be noted that Choice Band Golurk and specially defensive Ludicolo make a very effective balanced core alongside Regirock
- enormous movepool, but mostly underwhelming options
- RestTalk set to compensate for lack of recovery, but leaves Regirock prone to being setup on by a lot of threats
- ChestoRest
- specially defensive set can be used to handle special attackers better, such as Zebstrika, Haunter, and Eelektross, and basically makes Regirock a decent all-purpose check to a variety of Pokemon with its already massive Defense
- dedicated Curse set to act as a late-game sweeper, but its common weaknesses make this harder to execute than with something like Miltank or Cradily
- grand special movepool including Earth Power, Focus Blast, Charge Beam, Thunderbolt, and more, but pitiful base Special Attack makes it unworthy
- Fire Punch and ThunderPunch are other elemental punches available to it, the former hitting Bronzor and Metang and latter Alomomola (SE hits harder still), but worthless outside of that as they don't provide additional coverage that Ice Punch doesn't already take care of
- Hammer Arm and Superpower for stronger Fighting-type attacks, but Drain Punch is a lot more beneficial as it hits decent enough and replenishes some Regirock's HP
- Earthquake to have the EdgeQuake combo, but Drain Punch already hits mostly everything that Earthquake would be used for
- Explosion can be used to surprise an unsuspecting opponent, can work even better on a Custap Berry set; however, Golem and Gigalith run it better and if you do use it, you sacrifice your Normal- and Flying-type check
- due to its bulk, Regirock can be a reliable Sunny Day or Gravity user
- can execute a Swagger + Psych Up tactic, but generally not worth it given how unreliable it is
- if there was one Pokemon that completely walls Regirock, it'd be Golurk; immune to Drain Punch, resists Rock, and packs DynamicPunch or STAB Earthquake to annihilate Regirock
- anything with enough Defense can sponge Regirock's hits and set up on it: Garbodor can spill Spikes, Alomomola can Toxic stall it, Tangela can Giga Drain, Golem can Earthqauke; however, be cautious of Regirock carrying status
- strong attackers that carry STAB super effective moves can puncture through Regirock's defenses: Sawk, Primeape, Seismitoad, Gorebyss, and Exeggutor all fit the bill perfectly
- susceptible to burn and poison status, and without any form of reliable recovery, the residual damage will often overwhelm it
- lots of Pokemon can set up against it: Bulk Up Gurdurr and Throh (like status), Substitute + Nasty Plot Misdreavus (blocks status and bulky enough to take hits), and Swords Dance Samurott are a few
Hopefully I didn't miss anything blatantly obvious. This is ready for QC.
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