Indigo Plateau
UU Leader
[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave / Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is used for its secondary burn chance, which potentially cripples switch-ins like Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth. Ice Beam allows Slowbro to beat Zygarde and Hawlucha, two Pokemon that this set is supposed to beat, and hit Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth super effectively. Toxic is valuable for hitting Pokemon that don't take much damage from Scald or Ice Beam, such as Tangrowth, Greninja, and Mega Alakazam, on an expected switch. Thunder Wave can be used over Toxic if the team prefers the additional speed control, hindering fast Pokemon like Mega Alakazam, Serperior, and Greninja. Flamethrower is another alternative that allows Slowbro to hit opposing Steel-types, primarily Ferrothorn, Kartana, and Mega Scizor, for a big chunk of damage. Protect can be used in the last slot to scout against opposing Pokemon like Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and gain additional recovery from Leftovers.
Set Details
========
A physically defensive EV spread is used to better check physical attackers like Zygarde, Hawlucha, and Mega Medicham. Regenerator allows Slowbro to function as an effective pivot, allowing it to repeatedly switch into strong physical attackers like Zygarde and Mega Medicham without losing momentum to recover via Slack Off every time.
Usage Tips
========
This set is best used as a defensive pivot, coming into Pokemon like Zygarde to scout for their sets. Avoid Toxic from Pokemon such as Heatran, Gliscor, and Toxapex, as this will severely hinder Slowbro's longevity throughout the match. Toxapex can also cripple Slowbro with Toxic Spikes, so make sure that they're removed from the field before bringing Slowbro in. Slowbro doesn't appreciate taking a Knock Off, as losing its Leftovers cripples its longetivity. Don't hesitate to click Scald even on predicted switches, as its 30% burn chance can cripple opposing Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Kartana, two Pokemon that can beat Slowbro easily if not burned. Use Toxic or Thunder Wave when the opponent has a Pokemon that would be more crippled by Toxic poison or paralysis than a burn, such as Mega Alakazam, Ash-Greninja, Tangrowth, and Tornadus-T. Use Protect against Pokemon that tend to be Choice locked and threaten Slowbro out, such as Ash-Greninja, Magnezone, and Tapu Lele, as them locking into the wrong move can give Slowbro the opportunity to fire off a free attack. It also alleviates prediction against Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Weavile.
Team Options
========
Slowbro's defensive utility is beneficial for bulky offense and balance builds that tend to struggle switching into Pokemon like Zygarde, Heatran, Mega Medicham, and Hawlucha. Ash-Greninja hard counters this set outside of a possible status move, so having a reliable answer for it is vital. Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth possess good defensive synergy with Slowbro and can usually handle Ash-Greninja outside of the rare Ice Beam or Gunk Shot, as well as Tapu Koko; Tangrowth also forms a Regenerator core with Slowbro. Heatran possesses good defensive synergy with Slowbro and can help against opposing Grass-types, such as Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Serperior, that scare out Slowbro. Heatran also helps with Mega Scizor and Magearna, two Pokemon that could potentially use Slowbro as setup fodder. Toxapex hard walls this set and can badly poison Slowbro with Toxic or set up Toxic Spikes. Having teammates that can pressure Toxapex, primarily Psychic- and Electric- types like Mega Alakazam and Tapu Koko, is important for this set. Entry hazard removers are very helpful for Slowbro to ensure that it recovers as much HP as possible while pivoting and doesn't get poisoned or badly poisoned from Toxic Spikes. Tornadus-T deserves a special mention, as it can remove entry hazards, pressure Grass-types with Hurricane, and form a Regenerator core with Slowbro.
[CREDITS]
Written By: [Indigo Plateau, 216712]
Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [Leo, 328915], [lyd, 303291]]
Grammar checked by: [[martha, 384270], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave / Flamethrower
item: Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is used for its secondary burn chance, which potentially cripples switch-ins like Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth. Ice Beam allows Slowbro to beat Zygarde and Hawlucha, two Pokemon that this set is supposed to beat, and hit Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth super effectively. Toxic is valuable for hitting Pokemon that don't take much damage from Scald or Ice Beam, such as Tangrowth, Greninja, and Mega Alakazam, on an expected switch. Thunder Wave can be used over Toxic if the team prefers the additional speed control, hindering fast Pokemon like Mega Alakazam, Serperior, and Greninja. Flamethrower is another alternative that allows Slowbro to hit opposing Steel-types, primarily Ferrothorn, Kartana, and Mega Scizor, for a big chunk of damage. Protect can be used in the last slot to scout against opposing Pokemon like Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and gain additional recovery from Leftovers.
Set Details
========
A physically defensive EV spread is used to better check physical attackers like Zygarde, Hawlucha, and Mega Medicham. Regenerator allows Slowbro to function as an effective pivot, allowing it to repeatedly switch into strong physical attackers like Zygarde and Mega Medicham without losing momentum to recover via Slack Off every time.
Usage Tips
========
This set is best used as a defensive pivot, coming into Pokemon like Zygarde to scout for their sets. Avoid Toxic from Pokemon such as Heatran, Gliscor, and Toxapex, as this will severely hinder Slowbro's longevity throughout the match. Toxapex can also cripple Slowbro with Toxic Spikes, so make sure that they're removed from the field before bringing Slowbro in. Slowbro doesn't appreciate taking a Knock Off, as losing its Leftovers cripples its longetivity. Don't hesitate to click Scald even on predicted switches, as its 30% burn chance can cripple opposing Grass-types like Tapu Bulu and Kartana, two Pokemon that can beat Slowbro easily if not burned. Use Toxic or Thunder Wave when the opponent has a Pokemon that would be more crippled by Toxic poison or paralysis than a burn, such as Mega Alakazam, Ash-Greninja, Tangrowth, and Tornadus-T. Use Protect against Pokemon that tend to be Choice locked and threaten Slowbro out, such as Ash-Greninja, Magnezone, and Tapu Lele, as them locking into the wrong move can give Slowbro the opportunity to fire off a free attack. It also alleviates prediction against Pursuit trappers like Tyranitar and Weavile.
Team Options
========
Slowbro's defensive utility is beneficial for bulky offense and balance builds that tend to struggle switching into Pokemon like Zygarde, Heatran, Mega Medicham, and Hawlucha. Ash-Greninja hard counters this set outside of a possible status move, so having a reliable answer for it is vital. Tapu Bulu and Tangrowth possess good defensive synergy with Slowbro and can usually handle Ash-Greninja outside of the rare Ice Beam or Gunk Shot, as well as Tapu Koko; Tangrowth also forms a Regenerator core with Slowbro. Heatran possesses good defensive synergy with Slowbro and can help against opposing Grass-types, such as Tapu Bulu, Tangrowth, Ferrothorn, and Serperior, that scare out Slowbro. Heatran also helps with Mega Scizor and Magearna, two Pokemon that could potentially use Slowbro as setup fodder. Toxapex hard walls this set and can badly poison Slowbro with Toxic or set up Toxic Spikes. Having teammates that can pressure Toxapex, primarily Psychic- and Electric- types like Mega Alakazam and Tapu Koko, is important for this set. Entry hazard removers are very helpful for Slowbro to ensure that it recovers as much HP as possible while pivoting and doesn't get poisoned or badly poisoned from Toxic Spikes. Tornadus-T deserves a special mention, as it can remove entry hazards, pressure Grass-types with Hurricane, and form a Regenerator core with Slowbro.
[CREDITS]
Written By: [Indigo Plateau, 216712]
Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [Leo, 328915], [lyd, 303291]]
Grammar checked by: [[martha, 384270], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Last edited: