[OVERVIEW]
With excellent defensive stats alongside a solid Water / Psychic typing, Slowbro is an excellent choice for taking on threats such as Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, Mega Charizard X, and Mega Medicham. With recovery moves like Slack Off and Rest plus a fantastic ability in Regenerator, Slowbro is very easy to keep healthy and use as an all-around defensive pivot. Its very wide offensive and support movepool lets it take on various foes comfortably. When Mega Evolved, Slowbro gets a boost from base 110 Defense to base 180 Defense, which further increases its ability to take on physical attackers. Mega Slowbro also gets the ability Shell Armor, which makes it immune to critical hits; this pairs very well with its access to boosting moves like Calm Mind, which makes it a very viable bulky sweeper.
Despite all this, Slowbro's typing renders it weak to common Knock Off and Pursuit users like Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar. Its typing also makes it vulnerable to both U-turn and Volt Switch, making it very easy to gain momentum off of. Slowbro's mediocre Special Defense also makes it vulnerable to special attackers such as Mega Manectric, Serperior, and Gengar. Lastly, Slowbro fears status moves that can put it on a timer, like Toxic, and moves like Taunt that can stop it from recovering health or inflicting its own status.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Thunder Wave / Toxic
move 4: Ice Beam / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP/ 176 Def / 80 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Move
========
Scald is a reliable, spammable STAB move with a chance to cripple a large range of Pokemon such as Metagross, Excadrill, Bisharp, and Tyranitar. Slack Off allows Slowbro to stay healthy and, when combined with Regenerator, makes it increasingly hard to wear down. Thunder Wave is a reliable method of stopping Speed-boosting Pokemon, such as Mega Charizard X, while also slowing foes down in general so that teammates can revenge kill them. Ice Beam reliably hits Ground-types like Garchomp and Gliscor while also hitting Dragon-types that resist Scald like Latios and Mega Altaria. Ice Beam also can hit Grass-types like Serperior, preventing it from using Substitute, and physically defensive Tangrowth, which otherwise could throw out moves like Sleep Powder, Knock Off, and Giga Drain. Fire Blast is also an option to immediately damage Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Magnezone, and Skarmory.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread allows Slowbro to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock while still maximizing its physical bulk to deal with Pokemon like Mega Medicham that lack Thunder Punch, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Metagross. Leftovers and Regenerator enhance Slowbro's ability to stay healthy. Alternatively, Rocky Helmet is also a solid item to chip down foes like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Metagross, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Medicham.
Usage Tips
========
Use this set as a defensive pivot. Slowbro can KO or cripple setup Pokemon like Swords Dance Gliscor and Swords Dance Mega Scizor with Ice Beam, Fire Blast, or Scald. Spam status-inflicting moves like Scald and Thunder Wave as the foe switches out to cripple its teammates. Rocky Helmet can be used to wear down physical attackers and put them in range of Slowbro's teammates. Make sure to scout for status moves from common status users like Clefable, Heatran, and Amoonguss to ensure Slowbro's survivability.
Team Options
========
Slowbro fits well on bulkier playstyles like balance, bulky offense, and stall. It is able to act as the team's physical wall and its countermeasure to strong Fighting-types. Pokemon that can assist Slowbro with dealing with Electric-types like Rotom-W, Grass-types like Serperior, Ghost-types like Gengar, Dark-types like Tyranitar, and Dragon-types like Latios and Latias are mandatory. Magic Guard Clefable is a great partner because its mixed bulk and Fairy typing allow it to handle threats like Mega Gyarados, Latios, and Rotom-W. It also can absorb the status moves that Slowbro does not want to take. Tyranitar can eliminate Ghost-types, Latios, and Latias for Slowbro with Pursuit while also dealing with threats like Volcarona, Mega Charizard Y, and Thundurus with Stone Edge. Choice Scarf Magnezone plays a similar role as Tyranitar in the sense that it can trap Pokemon that annoy Slowbro, such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, while also offensively checking Mega Medicham, Starmie, Thundurus, and Mega Charizard Y. It also provides momentum with Volt Switch. Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss can face off against the Grass- and Electric-types Slowbro struggles with, like Serperior and Rotom-W, while also appreciating Slowbro's ability to take on Fire-types. Other partners include special sponges like Tornadus-T and Gliscor; Tornadus-T forms a nice Regenerator core with Slowbro, while Gliscor is able to absorb and scout for status moves. Excadrill can check certain Electric-types as well as Fairy-types like Clefable and Mega Altaria. It also can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin, which Slowbro appreciates.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Scald
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Psyshock / Rest / Flamethrower
item: Slowbronite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Mega Slowbro's mediocre Special Defense as well as its Special Attack, making it very hard to KO after a few boosts. The rise in Special Attack goes well with Mega Slowbro's impressive base 130 Special Attack, giving it a solid offensive presence that complements its defenses. Scald is Mega Slowbro's best STAB move. Psyshock helps deal with other Calm Mind users like Clefable and Suicune while also hitting Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, and Keldeo. Rest is less reliable than Slack Off, but it removes status, most notably Toxic. Flamethrower is also an option, as it helps take out Mega Scizor and, more importantly, Ferrothorn, which otherwise hard walls Mega Slowbro.
Set Details
========
With a 70 point boost in base Defense after Mega Evolving, Slowbro can throw more EVs into Special Defense while still acting as a reliable physical wall. When Mega-Evolved, Slowbro avoids the 2HKO from Knock Off from Dark-types like Bisharp and Weavile as well as Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Crunch. The Special Defense investment makes it easier to take on threats like Choice Specs Latios, and it lets Mega Slowbro use Slack Off on Mega Charizard Y's Solar Beam to stall out its Drought turns.
Usage Tips
========
An important thing to keep in mind is how Slowbro loses Regenerator after Mega Evolving. Try to maximize the healing that Slowbro gets from it beforehand. You should not Mega Evolve Slowbro unless it needs the extra physical defense to check a specific threat or you plan to set up and win. Set up on Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny, Excadrill, Mega Metagross, and Keldeo that can't break Mega Slowbro. If you are not running Rest, make sure to scout for status moves like Toxic from Mega Lopunny and Excadrill while also being careful about potential coverage moves like Hidden Power Grass from Keldeo.
Team Options
========
Mega Slowbro belongs to bulky team archetypes like stall and balance, meaning Pokemon that naturally appear on these teams pair well with it. Gliscor can take on special hits for Mega Slowbro and is immune to Electric-type attacks that Mega Slowbro hates. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can also sponge special hits and forms a nice Regenerator core with Mega Slowbro. Clefable forms a fantastic Calm Mind core with Mega Slowbro, being able to absorb and scout out status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Toxic. Latios can fit on most teams, help Mega Slowbro deal with Electric-types, and remove entry hazards for it. Excadrill can also deal with Electric-types and remove entry hazards, but it also checks Fairy-types like Mega Altaria and Clefable that annoy Mega Slowbro.
[SET]
name: Offensive Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Ice Beam / Psychic
item: Slowbronite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 136 SpA / 124 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is a very spammable STAB move because of its chance to burn foes, whittling down and crippling switch-ins. Slack Off is a reliable recovery move to keep Mega Slowbro healthy. Fire Blast hits Steel-types, including Ferrothorn, Scizor, Bisharp, and Magnezone, and Grass-types like Amoonguss, Serperior, and Breloom. Ice Beam hits Ground-types like Gliscor, Garchomp, and Landorus-T as well as Dragon-types like Latios and Mega Altaria that shrug off Scald and Fire Blast. Psychic is a strong STAB move that can be used to hit a variety of Pokemon such as Keldeo, Rotom-W, Alomomola, Azumarill, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur. Grass Knot is also an option to hit other Water-types such as Keldeo, Azumarill, Mega Gyarados, Suicune, and other Slowbro or Mega Slowbro.
Set Details
========
136 EVs into Special Attack with a Modest nature give Mega Slowbro's Fire Blast a 75% chance to OHKO physically defensive Tangrowth with 48 Special Defense EVs. It also guarantees the OHKO on Tangrowth with no Special Defense investment after Stealth Rock and OHKOes standard Ferrothorn and Magnezone after Stealth Rock. Ice Beam will always OHKO Gliscor and Thundurus after Stealth Rock while also 2HKOing Flying-types like Zapdos with full HP investment and Assault Vest Tornadus-T. Maximum HP investment with the rest of the EVs dumped into Special Defense helps Mega Slowbro take special attacks from the likes of Latios, Keldeo, Leftovers Thundurus, and Choice Scarf Magnezone. This spread can also survive two hits of standard Rotom-W's Volt Switch.
Usage Tips
========
Offensive tank Mega Slowbro usually wants to Mega Evolve right away to take advantage of the huge jump in Special Attack and, to a lesser extent, the jump in physical bulk. Mega Slowbro typically should be using Scald to land chip damage and potential burns on its foes, but it is also recommended to try to predict switch-ins and hit them with the appropriate coverage moves. For example, you would want to hit Latios on the switch with Ice Beam, Ferrothorn with Fire Blast, and Rotom-W with Psychic. This set is best used by tanking a lot of attacks while dishing out a lot of damage and healing when appropriate.
Team Options
========
Offensive Tank Mega Slowbro fits best on balance and bulky offense builds. Pokemon that are able to deal with Electric- and Grass-types such as Mega Manectric, Thundurus, and Serperior are greatly appreciated. Teammates like specially defensive Heatran and Clefable work just fine. Good checks to Dark-types like Mega Gyarados and Tyranitar, such as Keldeo, are very helpful as well. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards like Latios and Excadrill help Mega Slowbro stay healthy and out of range of certain 2HKOs, like Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump. Additionally, both Latios and Excadrill help with the Electric-type issue, with Excadrill also being able to deal with Fairy-types like Mega Altaria and Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
When not using the defensive set, Toxic is significantly less useful than Thunder Wave, as it cannot hit Mega Metagross, Ferrothorn, or Amoonguss and is less immediately crippling to offensive threats like Mega Pinsir. It is still viable, though, to wear down foes like Rotom-W, Zapdos, and other Slowbro or Mega Slowbro. Due to Slowbro's low Speed and fantastic defensive stats, it is a viable option as a Trick Room setter. Sleep Talk is viable on Rest Mega Slowbro so that it won't be idle for two turns and has a chance to use either Scald or Calm Mind.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, and Serperior can soak up almost any of Slowbro's moves while dealing a lot of damage back. The majority of them, however, do not appreciate being hit by Ice Beam, burned by Scald, or paralyzed by Thunder Wave.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types, including Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Magnezone, can deal a large amount of damage to Slowbro. However, the majority of them do not appreciate switching into Scald too many times.
**Dragon-types**: If Slowbro lacks Ice Beam, Dragon-types like Latios and Mega Altaria can easily switch in and shrug off any damage, especially if they carry Roost. Latios can soak up almost any hit, recover the damage with Roost, and threaten Slowbro back with Draco Meteor. Mega Altaria full-on counters Slowbro, as it resists Scald and does not care about status if it carries Facade or Refresh. This lets Mega Altaria freely set up on Slowbro, needing only two Dragon Dances to outspeed it when paralyzed.
**Status**: If Slowbro lacks Rest or a teammate that can clear status, Toxic poison and burn put it on a timer, forcing it to recover more often then it wants to as Toxic damage increases.
**Taunt**: When Mega Evolved, Slowbro relies on Slack Off and Rest to heal, meaning Taunt users like Gliscor and Heatran are able to stop Mega Slowbro from recovering or setting up Calm Mind. This makes it more vulnerable to Pokemon that it would normally switch into like Thunder Punch Mega Metagross and Mega Medicham. Taunt also prevents regular Slowbro from healing outside of Regenerator and spreading status through moves like Thunder Wave.
**Super Effective Attacks and Residual Damage**: Dark-types like Tyranitar, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Gyarados, Hydreigon, Crawdaunt, and Weavile all threaten Slowbro. Ghost-types like Gengar and Jellicent can also prove to be problematic, as Shadow Ball from Gengar does a lot of damage, and Jellicent can absorb Scald and Taunt and potentially burn Slowbro with its own Scald. Bug-types, including Mega Heracross, Volcarona, and Mega Scizor, can deal a lot of damage to or outright KO Slowbro as well. A lot of Pokemon that Slowbro can typically check can also run a super effective coverage move to hit it, such as Thunder Punch from Mega Metagross, Hidden Power Bug or Grass from Choice Specs Keldeo, and Thunder Punch from Mega Medicham. A lot of moves mentioned here become less threatening when Slowbro is Mega Evolved, as Pokemon like Choice Band Weavile, Thunder Punch Mega Metagross, and Thunder Punch Mega Medicham cannot 2HKO it anymore. However, do keep in mind that Mega Slowbro loses Regenerator after Mega Evolving; this makes residual damage very troublesome, as it has to constantly stay at a high enough health percentage to avoid being 2HKOed as it switches into these Pokemon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ez, 233669]]
- Quality checked by: [[jonfilch, 472436], [Savouras, 409438]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [Finland, 517429]]
With excellent defensive stats alongside a solid Water / Psychic typing, Slowbro is an excellent choice for taking on threats such as Mega Lopunny, Landorus-T, Mega Charizard X, and Mega Medicham. With recovery moves like Slack Off and Rest plus a fantastic ability in Regenerator, Slowbro is very easy to keep healthy and use as an all-around defensive pivot. Its very wide offensive and support movepool lets it take on various foes comfortably. When Mega Evolved, Slowbro gets a boost from base 110 Defense to base 180 Defense, which further increases its ability to take on physical attackers. Mega Slowbro also gets the ability Shell Armor, which makes it immune to critical hits; this pairs very well with its access to boosting moves like Calm Mind, which makes it a very viable bulky sweeper.
Despite all this, Slowbro's typing renders it weak to common Knock Off and Pursuit users like Weavile, Bisharp, and Tyranitar. Its typing also makes it vulnerable to both U-turn and Volt Switch, making it very easy to gain momentum off of. Slowbro's mediocre Special Defense also makes it vulnerable to special attackers such as Mega Manectric, Serperior, and Gengar. Lastly, Slowbro fears status moves that can put it on a timer, like Toxic, and moves like Taunt that can stop it from recovering health or inflicting its own status.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Scald
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Thunder Wave / Toxic
move 4: Ice Beam / Fire Blast
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP/ 176 Def / 80 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Move
========
Scald is a reliable, spammable STAB move with a chance to cripple a large range of Pokemon such as Metagross, Excadrill, Bisharp, and Tyranitar. Slack Off allows Slowbro to stay healthy and, when combined with Regenerator, makes it increasingly hard to wear down. Thunder Wave is a reliable method of stopping Speed-boosting Pokemon, such as Mega Charizard X, while also slowing foes down in general so that teammates can revenge kill them. Ice Beam reliably hits Ground-types like Garchomp and Gliscor while also hitting Dragon-types that resist Scald like Latios and Mega Altaria. Ice Beam also can hit Grass-types like Serperior, preventing it from using Substitute, and physically defensive Tangrowth, which otherwise could throw out moves like Sleep Powder, Knock Off, and Giga Drain. Fire Blast is also an option to immediately damage Steel-types like Ferrothorn, Mega Scizor, Magnezone, and Skarmory.
Set Details
========
The given EV spread allows Slowbro to avoid the 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump after Stealth Rock while still maximizing its physical bulk to deal with Pokemon like Mega Medicham that lack Thunder Punch, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Metagross. Leftovers and Regenerator enhance Slowbro's ability to stay healthy. Alternatively, Rocky Helmet is also a solid item to chip down foes like Choice Scarf Landorus-T, Mega Metagross, Mega Lopunny, and Mega Medicham.
Usage Tips
========
Use this set as a defensive pivot. Slowbro can KO or cripple setup Pokemon like Swords Dance Gliscor and Swords Dance Mega Scizor with Ice Beam, Fire Blast, or Scald. Spam status-inflicting moves like Scald and Thunder Wave as the foe switches out to cripple its teammates. Rocky Helmet can be used to wear down physical attackers and put them in range of Slowbro's teammates. Make sure to scout for status moves from common status users like Clefable, Heatran, and Amoonguss to ensure Slowbro's survivability.
Team Options
========
Slowbro fits well on bulkier playstyles like balance, bulky offense, and stall. It is able to act as the team's physical wall and its countermeasure to strong Fighting-types. Pokemon that can assist Slowbro with dealing with Electric-types like Rotom-W, Grass-types like Serperior, Ghost-types like Gengar, Dark-types like Tyranitar, and Dragon-types like Latios and Latias are mandatory. Magic Guard Clefable is a great partner because its mixed bulk and Fairy typing allow it to handle threats like Mega Gyarados, Latios, and Rotom-W. It also can absorb the status moves that Slowbro does not want to take. Tyranitar can eliminate Ghost-types, Latios, and Latias for Slowbro with Pursuit while also dealing with threats like Volcarona, Mega Charizard Y, and Thundurus with Stone Edge. Choice Scarf Magnezone plays a similar role as Tyranitar in the sense that it can trap Pokemon that annoy Slowbro, such as Ferrothorn and Mega Scizor, while also offensively checking Mega Medicham, Starmie, Thundurus, and Mega Charizard Y. It also provides momentum with Volt Switch. Mega Venusaur and Amoonguss can face off against the Grass- and Electric-types Slowbro struggles with, like Serperior and Rotom-W, while also appreciating Slowbro's ability to take on Fire-types. Other partners include special sponges like Tornadus-T and Gliscor; Tornadus-T forms a nice Regenerator core with Slowbro, while Gliscor is able to absorb and scout for status moves. Excadrill can check certain Electric-types as well as Fairy-types like Clefable and Mega Altaria. It also can remove entry hazards with Rapid Spin, which Slowbro appreciates.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Calm Mind
move 2: Scald
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Psyshock / Rest / Flamethrower
item: Slowbronite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 80 Def / 176 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Calm Mind boosts Mega Slowbro's mediocre Special Defense as well as its Special Attack, making it very hard to KO after a few boosts. The rise in Special Attack goes well with Mega Slowbro's impressive base 130 Special Attack, giving it a solid offensive presence that complements its defenses. Scald is Mega Slowbro's best STAB move. Psyshock helps deal with other Calm Mind users like Clefable and Suicune while also hitting Amoonguss, Mega Venusaur, and Keldeo. Rest is less reliable than Slack Off, but it removes status, most notably Toxic. Flamethrower is also an option, as it helps take out Mega Scizor and, more importantly, Ferrothorn, which otherwise hard walls Mega Slowbro.
Set Details
========
With a 70 point boost in base Defense after Mega Evolving, Slowbro can throw more EVs into Special Defense while still acting as a reliable physical wall. When Mega-Evolved, Slowbro avoids the 2HKO from Knock Off from Dark-types like Bisharp and Weavile as well as Choice Scarf Tyranitar's Crunch. The Special Defense investment makes it easier to take on threats like Choice Specs Latios, and it lets Mega Slowbro use Slack Off on Mega Charizard Y's Solar Beam to stall out its Drought turns.
Usage Tips
========
An important thing to keep in mind is how Slowbro loses Regenerator after Mega Evolving. Try to maximize the healing that Slowbro gets from it beforehand. You should not Mega Evolve Slowbro unless it needs the extra physical defense to check a specific threat or you plan to set up and win. Set up on Pokemon such as Mega Lopunny, Excadrill, Mega Metagross, and Keldeo that can't break Mega Slowbro. If you are not running Rest, make sure to scout for status moves like Toxic from Mega Lopunny and Excadrill while also being careful about potential coverage moves like Hidden Power Grass from Keldeo.
Team Options
========
Mega Slowbro belongs to bulky team archetypes like stall and balance, meaning Pokemon that naturally appear on these teams pair well with it. Gliscor can take on special hits for Mega Slowbro and is immune to Electric-type attacks that Mega Slowbro hates. Assault Vest Tornadus-T can also sponge special hits and forms a nice Regenerator core with Mega Slowbro. Clefable forms a fantastic Calm Mind core with Mega Slowbro, being able to absorb and scout out status moves like Will-O-Wisp and Toxic. Latios can fit on most teams, help Mega Slowbro deal with Electric-types, and remove entry hazards for it. Excadrill can also deal with Electric-types and remove entry hazards, but it also checks Fairy-types like Mega Altaria and Clefable that annoy Mega Slowbro.
[SET]
name: Offensive Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Ice Beam / Psychic
item: Slowbronite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Modest
evs: 248 HP / 136 SpA / 124 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is a very spammable STAB move because of its chance to burn foes, whittling down and crippling switch-ins. Slack Off is a reliable recovery move to keep Mega Slowbro healthy. Fire Blast hits Steel-types, including Ferrothorn, Scizor, Bisharp, and Magnezone, and Grass-types like Amoonguss, Serperior, and Breloom. Ice Beam hits Ground-types like Gliscor, Garchomp, and Landorus-T as well as Dragon-types like Latios and Mega Altaria that shrug off Scald and Fire Blast. Psychic is a strong STAB move that can be used to hit a variety of Pokemon such as Keldeo, Rotom-W, Alomomola, Azumarill, Amoonguss, and Mega Venusaur. Grass Knot is also an option to hit other Water-types such as Keldeo, Azumarill, Mega Gyarados, Suicune, and other Slowbro or Mega Slowbro.
Set Details
========
136 EVs into Special Attack with a Modest nature give Mega Slowbro's Fire Blast a 75% chance to OHKO physically defensive Tangrowth with 48 Special Defense EVs. It also guarantees the OHKO on Tangrowth with no Special Defense investment after Stealth Rock and OHKOes standard Ferrothorn and Magnezone after Stealth Rock. Ice Beam will always OHKO Gliscor and Thundurus after Stealth Rock while also 2HKOing Flying-types like Zapdos with full HP investment and Assault Vest Tornadus-T. Maximum HP investment with the rest of the EVs dumped into Special Defense helps Mega Slowbro take special attacks from the likes of Latios, Keldeo, Leftovers Thundurus, and Choice Scarf Magnezone. This spread can also survive two hits of standard Rotom-W's Volt Switch.
Usage Tips
========
Offensive tank Mega Slowbro usually wants to Mega Evolve right away to take advantage of the huge jump in Special Attack and, to a lesser extent, the jump in physical bulk. Mega Slowbro typically should be using Scald to land chip damage and potential burns on its foes, but it is also recommended to try to predict switch-ins and hit them with the appropriate coverage moves. For example, you would want to hit Latios on the switch with Ice Beam, Ferrothorn with Fire Blast, and Rotom-W with Psychic. This set is best used by tanking a lot of attacks while dishing out a lot of damage and healing when appropriate.
Team Options
========
Offensive Tank Mega Slowbro fits best on balance and bulky offense builds. Pokemon that are able to deal with Electric- and Grass-types such as Mega Manectric, Thundurus, and Serperior are greatly appreciated. Teammates like specially defensive Heatran and Clefable work just fine. Good checks to Dark-types like Mega Gyarados and Tyranitar, such as Keldeo, are very helpful as well. Pokemon that can remove entry hazards like Latios and Excadrill help Mega Slowbro stay healthy and out of range of certain 2HKOs, like Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump. Additionally, both Latios and Excadrill help with the Electric-type issue, with Excadrill also being able to deal with Fairy-types like Mega Altaria and Clefable.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
When not using the defensive set, Toxic is significantly less useful than Thunder Wave, as it cannot hit Mega Metagross, Ferrothorn, or Amoonguss and is less immediately crippling to offensive threats like Mega Pinsir. It is still viable, though, to wear down foes like Rotom-W, Zapdos, and other Slowbro or Mega Slowbro. Due to Slowbro's low Speed and fantastic defensive stats, it is a viable option as a Trick Room setter. Sleep Talk is viable on Rest Mega Slowbro so that it won't be idle for two turns and has a chance to use either Scald or Calm Mind.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Mega Venusaur, Tangrowth, and Serperior can soak up almost any of Slowbro's moves while dealing a lot of damage back. The majority of them, however, do not appreciate being hit by Ice Beam, burned by Scald, or paralyzed by Thunder Wave.
**Electric-types**: Electric-types, including Rotom-W, Thundurus, and Magnezone, can deal a large amount of damage to Slowbro. However, the majority of them do not appreciate switching into Scald too many times.
**Dragon-types**: If Slowbro lacks Ice Beam, Dragon-types like Latios and Mega Altaria can easily switch in and shrug off any damage, especially if they carry Roost. Latios can soak up almost any hit, recover the damage with Roost, and threaten Slowbro back with Draco Meteor. Mega Altaria full-on counters Slowbro, as it resists Scald and does not care about status if it carries Facade or Refresh. This lets Mega Altaria freely set up on Slowbro, needing only two Dragon Dances to outspeed it when paralyzed.
**Status**: If Slowbro lacks Rest or a teammate that can clear status, Toxic poison and burn put it on a timer, forcing it to recover more often then it wants to as Toxic damage increases.
**Taunt**: When Mega Evolved, Slowbro relies on Slack Off and Rest to heal, meaning Taunt users like Gliscor and Heatran are able to stop Mega Slowbro from recovering or setting up Calm Mind. This makes it more vulnerable to Pokemon that it would normally switch into like Thunder Punch Mega Metagross and Mega Medicham. Taunt also prevents regular Slowbro from healing outside of Regenerator and spreading status through moves like Thunder Wave.
**Super Effective Attacks and Residual Damage**: Dark-types like Tyranitar, Mega Tyranitar, Mega Gyarados, Hydreigon, Crawdaunt, and Weavile all threaten Slowbro. Ghost-types like Gengar and Jellicent can also prove to be problematic, as Shadow Ball from Gengar does a lot of damage, and Jellicent can absorb Scald and Taunt and potentially burn Slowbro with its own Scald. Bug-types, including Mega Heracross, Volcarona, and Mega Scizor, can deal a lot of damage to or outright KO Slowbro as well. A lot of Pokemon that Slowbro can typically check can also run a super effective coverage move to hit it, such as Thunder Punch from Mega Metagross, Hidden Power Bug or Grass from Choice Specs Keldeo, and Thunder Punch from Mega Medicham. A lot of moves mentioned here become less threatening when Slowbro is Mega Evolved, as Pokemon like Choice Band Weavile, Thunder Punch Mega Metagross, and Thunder Punch Mega Medicham cannot 2HKO it anymore. However, do keep in mind that Mega Slowbro loses Regenerator after Mega Evolving; this makes residual damage very troublesome, as it has to constantly stay at a high enough health percentage to avoid being 2HKOed as it switches into these Pokemon.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[ez, 233669]]
- Quality checked by: [[jonfilch, 472436], [Savouras, 409438]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [Finland, 517429]]
Last edited:
