Slowbro
[Overview]
<p>Even in the 5th generation, Slowbro answers the call when a physical wall is needed. Bolstered by new gifts such as Scald, and a fantastic ability in Regenerator, along with the introduction of powerful Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr and Terrakion, which Slowbro can effortlessly beat, further enhances Slowbro's usefulness. In addition to being an exceptional physical wall, Slowbro can also run both a Calm Mind and a Choice Specs set. However, Slowbro's below average Special bulk really lets it down, and as such it is easily overpowered by powerful Special attackers such as Gengar. It also has a crippling weakness to Toxic. Despite the aformentioned flaws, give Slowbro some team support and it will truly shine.</p>
[SET]
name: OU Physical Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Psychic / Ice Beam
move 3: Flamethrower / Ice Beam / Thunder Wave
move 4: Slack Off
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
ability: Regenerator
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is Slowbro's most practical set, as with a fantastic ability, incredible bulk, and useful defensive typing, it is extremely bulky. Slowbro's new ability, Regenerator, boosts this set's effectiveness, as it allows Slowbro to attack and deal damage instead of having to heal as soon as it switches in. Scald has a chance of burning the opponent, cushioning physical attacks even further. Psychic is another STAB move that gives great secondary coverage against many of the threats that it will be walling, such as Terrakion. Flamethrower is very useful against Ferrothorn and Skarmory, while Ice Beam is useful for hitting Gliscor, Salamence, Dragonite, and other Dragon-types, as well Grass-types such as Roserade. Yet another option is Thunder Wave, which can cripple many common switch-ins, such as Rotom-W, and can pave the way for a slow sweeper such as Heatran. Finally, Slack Off increases Slowbro's durability even further, making it so that between Leftovers, Regenerator, and Slack Off, Slowbro won't be going down any time soon if it is played correctly.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>This Slowbro set in particular finds a home on defensive teams due to its ability to take a hit, switch out, and come back again fully healed. The EV spread is for maximum physical bulk, with the remaining EVs deposited into Special Attack to make Slowbro hit slightly harder. Toxic is another option, but Slowbro generally wants to be run as many coverage moves as possible to prevent itself from being walled. Slowbro also appreciates Heal Bell / Aromatherapy support, as it’s susceptible to status effects such as poison and burn. Celebi is the most effective Cleric for Slowbro, as it resists Electric and Grass, two of Slowbro’s most notable weaknesses, while Slowbro resists Fire and Ice for Celebi. The two do share a weakness to Ghost, Bug, and Dark, however. Blissey / Chansey also work very well with Slowbro, as they can eat strong special attacks aimed at Slowbro without difficulty while Slowbro shrugs off strong Fighting attacks. The pink blobs also provide Heal Bell support as a bonus. Lastly, Fire Blast is a more powerful albeit less reliable Fire attack than Flamethrower that can roast Skarmory and Ferrothorn.</p>
[SET]
name: OU Choice Specs
move 1: Surf
move 2: Fire Blast
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Grass Knot / Ice Beam
item: Choice Specs
nature: Modest
ability: Regenerator
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SAtk
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>An overlooked base 100 Special Attack stat makes a Choice Specs set viable as well. Regenerator gives Slowbro the ability to switch in and out repeatedly, an asset appreciated by Choice users. Slowbro can function exceedingly well in both Rain and Sun, courtesy of Surf and Fire Blast. Psychic / Psyshock provide solid secondary STAB. Psychic has higher base power, but Psyshock hits special walls, such as Chansey, harder. However, it is only a 4HKO on Chansey despite the Specs boost. Grass Knot deals with opposing Slowbro as well as Jellicent, Suicune, and most other Water-types bar Rotom-W. Ice Beam hits Dragon-types, especially Dragonite and Salamence, extremely hard.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The EVs and nature allow for maximum damage output and solid bulk. Trick would be a great option for this set if it were not illegal with Regenerator. Slowbro's movepool consists of a myriad of other attacking moves such as Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, and Signal Beam, but these moves are generally inferior to the ones listed above. If using Psychic, a powerful Fighting-type, such as Scrafty or Mienshao, will be appreciated to keep Blissey and Chansey at bay.</p>
[SET]
name: OU Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Scald
move 3: Psychic / Psyshock
move 4: Slack Off
item: Leftovers
nature: Bold
ability: Regenerator
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SAtk
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Calm Mind patches up Slowbro's significantly weaker special defense, making it extremely difficult to take out after a few Calm Minds without the use of Toxic, especially due to recovery granted by Slack off and Leftovers. It can set up Calm Mind incredibly easily against the Pokemon it walls, namely Fighting-types such as Conkeldurr and Terrakion. Scald complements Calm Mind by burning physical attackers, who try to attack Slowbro's unboosted defensive stat. When it comes to picking an additional STAB move, it would be wise to remember that Psychic does higher damage, but Psyshock will almost guaranteed wins against opposing Calm Mind users.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Again, the EVs provide maximum physical bulk that allows Slowbro to take many hits on the physical side while it boosts up on the special side. After a few Calm Mind boosts, Slowbro will become nearly impossible to take down without the use of Toxic or phazing moves. Strong attackers, such as Scizor and Jolteon, can break through Slowbro before it can set up. In the place of Psychic, Ice Beam can be used to hit Dragon-types, Grass Knot can be used to hit Water-types, and Flamethrower can be used to hit Steel-types, however, Slowbro needs Psychic in order to beat Conkeldurr and other Fighting-types. Toxic Spikes are also extremely detrimental to Slowbro's potential sweep, so a Rapid Spinner or even a grounded Poison-type will be appreciated. Blissey with Toxic, or anything with Toxic for that matter, is a huge pain for Slowbro, so a specially defensive RestTalker, such as Snorlax, would be useful as well. Also, Draco Meteors from the likes of Latios will severely damage Slowbro, and as such, specially defensive Steel-types such as Heatran or Jirachi are great teammates. Heatran is especially useful because it can destroy Scizor, one of Slowbro's main counters.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Due to Regenerator, Slowbro is an excellent pokemon to set up Trick Room, as it can switch in and out to provide Trick Room support quite easily. Belly Drum is incredibly gimmicky, but if the opponent allows Slowbro to set up with it, it can be deadly. Counter is gimmicky as well, but it can be extremely effective on U-Turn users such as Scizor, as it will hit whatever switches in next quite hard. Finally, Block + Yawn + Protect is another potentially deadly option that can assist a set-up sweeper, as well as deter the Volt-turn strategy.</p>
[Counters]
<p>Blissey / Chansey beat every Slowbro set, as they can Toxic Slowbro and then stall it out with Softboiled. Neither will appreciate a Toxic themselves, but they can just switch out and come back again fully cured of poison due to Natural Cure. While not exactly a Pokemon, two layers of Toxic Spikes go a long way when it comes to wearing Slowbro down. Scizor and Rotom-W can make Slowbro's head spin by popping in and out and hitting Slowbro with a super-effective U-Turn and Volt Switch, respectively. Starmie can take all of Slowbro's moves easily aside from Grass Knot and can take out Slowbro with Thunderbolt. Thanks to Natural Cure, it isn't bothered by Toxic or Thunder Wave either. Lastly, Slowbro hates Electric- and Grass-type attacks, especially from the likes of Jolteon and Venusaur, respectively.</p>
