Relicanth

MZ

Never more than twelve
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RUPL Champion
[OVERVIEW]

Generalize what the Pokemon does in the metagame and as a whole and why you should or shouldn't consider using it on your teams.

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Rock Slide
move 3: Toxic
move 4: Waterfall / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 8 Atk / 252 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========


Describe what the moves on the set do.

Set Details
========


Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.

Usage Tips
========


Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.

Team Options
========

Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.

[SET]
name: Rock Polish
move 1: Rock Polish
move 2: Head Smash
move 3: Waterfall
move 4: Earthquake
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Rock Head
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========


Describe what the moves on the set do.

Set Details
========


Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.

Usage Tips
========


Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.

Team Options
========

Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.

[SET]
name: Rain Lead
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Rain Dance
move 3: Head Smash
move 4: Waterfall / Yawn
item: Damp Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========


Describe what the moves on the set do.

Set Details
========


Describe the other aspects of the set such as what the EVs do and nature/item.

Usage Tips
========


Describe how to use the Pokemon in question.

Team Options
========

Describe some teammates that would be a good idea to pair with this Pokemon.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============


List some options for the Pokemon user that are plausible but not always recommended due to either being not consistent enough or too outclassed by other Pokemon in the metagame.

Checks and Counters
===================


**Insert Threat Here**: Describe why the Pokemon is a threat.
 
Last edited:
ugh I forgot rain lead existed
idk about SR 3 attacks, I could just slash rocks on RP or something but havent used either
 
Is rain lead really worth a set? It can almost never set up both stealth rocks and rain so is usually just done better by electrode. I dont think rain is potent enough to justify a niche set like that either. CB (or offensive rocks) is better than rain lead imo
 
Shouldn't Rock Head + Head Smash be slashed on the defensive set? I have used this extensively and it is really neat because it gives Relicanth a lot of offensive presence. A lot of pokemon on offensive teams that could switch into rock slide easily in a tight situation would be heavily pressed by head smash, and can be KOed with spikes on the field or a couple of rounds of life orb recoil.

Some example calcs:
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 238-282 (91.1 - 108%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Simisage: 216-255 (74.2 - 87.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 150-177 (51.5 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zebstrika: 216-255 (74.2 - 87.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Grumpig: 210-247 (57.6 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Of course, Rock Slide would only do half to these pokemon of what Head Smash would do, and most of them would be able to switch in and then defeat Relicanth otherwise.

Sturdy is a good ability and all but not a necessity, because you'll usually be switching Relicanth into attacks anyway mid-game.

Also 3 attacks SR doesn't need a set in my opinion, instead you could slash SR in the Rock Polish set or put it in Set Details.
 
Shouldn't Rock Head + Head Smash be slashed on the defensive set? I have used this extensively and it is really neat because it gives Relicanth a lot of offensive presence. A lot of pokemon on offensive teams that could switch into rock slide easily in a tight situation would be heavily pressed by head smash, and can be KOed with spikes on the field or a couple of rounds of life orb recoil.

Some example calcs:
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Raichu: 238-282 (91.1 - 108%) -- 50% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Simisage: 216-255 (74.2 - 87.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 120 HP / 0 Def Eviolite Misdreavus: 150-177 (51.5 - 60.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Zebstrika: 216-255 (74.2 - 87.6%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Relicanth Head Smash vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Grumpig: 210-247 (57.6 - 67.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

Of course, Rock Slide would only do half to these pokemon of what Head Smash would do, and most of them would be able to switch in and then defeat Relicanth otherwise.

Sturdy is a good ability and all but not a necessity, because you'll usually be switching Relicanth into attacks anyway mid-game.

Also 3 attacks SR doesn't need a set in my opinion, instead you could slash SR in the Rock Polish set or put it in Set Details.
I'll make that the second slash on the main set since the calcs definitely support it. I don't like it in the first slot because 80% accurate 8PP moves suck on defensive mons like Relicanth that's ideally coming in multiple times and the damage is still somewhat mediocre
 
I'll make that the second slash on the main set since the calcs definitely support it. I don't like it in the first slot because 80% accurate 8PP moves suck on defensive mons like Relicanth that's ideally coming in multiple times and the damage is still somewhat mediocre

That makes sense. Another thing you might want to consider is Scald, which I heard Dundies and other players discussing in a tour. I personally don't like it much but it does beat Vigoroth (which is a niche I guess)

EDIT: nvm it doesn't actually beat Vigo but it does burn it...
 
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