Slowbro
QC: [3/3]
GP: [1/1]
[OVERVIEW]
* 95 / 110 physical bulk makes Slowbro extremely physically durable.
* Slowbro's Water / Psychic typing provides six useful resistances.
* Regenerator and reliable recovery in Slack Off let Slowbro serve as an effective pivot.
* Base 100 Special Attack, STAB Scald, and a plethora of coverage options allow Slowbro to hit much of the tier for super effective damage and avoid being passive.
* Slowbro pairs well with common defensive Pokemon.
* Slowbro's poor Speed stat holds it back.
* Susceptibility to status is a disadvantage in comparison to other boosting sweepers like Suicune, Clefable, and Reuniclus.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Calm Mind / Thunder Wave
move 2: Scald
move 3: Psyshock
move 4: Slack Off
item: Leftovers / Waterium Z / Psychium Z
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind serves as Slowbro's boosting move and allows it to increase both its Special Attack and Special Defense.
* Scald is a consistent, reliable, spammable STAB move with good coverage and a 30% chance to burn the target.
* Psyshock is a secondary STAB move that allows Slowbro to break through special walls such as Blissey with enough boosts, helps Slowbro defeat other Calm Mind users, and threatens Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Tentacruel, and Keldeo.
* Slack Off provides Slowbro with reliable recovery.
* Thunder Wave allows Slowbro to support its team by crippling offensive Pokemon that rely on their speed.
Set Details
========
* 252 HP EVs maximize overall bulk.
* 24 Special Defense EVs allow Slowbro to survive two Hydro Pumps from Choice Specs Keldeo after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (80 Special Defense EVs are required for this purpose if Slowbro runs Waterium Z or Psychium Z).
* The remaining EVs augment Slowbro's ability to take physical attacks.
* Leftovers provides Slowbro with passive recovery.
* Waterium Z and Psychium Z allow Slowbro to switch into Knock Off more freely and hit its checks with a powerful STAB move.
Usage Tips
========
* Slowbro is a self-sustaining wincon that also provides early- and mid-game defensive utility.
* Slowbro can pivot into strong physical attackers, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Cobalion, Zygarde-10%, Infernape, Conkeldurr, and Mienshao.
* Slowbro can fire off Scalds or Psyshocks instead of using Slack Off to heal itself because Regenerator enables it to recover HP simply by switching out.
* Set up later in the match, after checks and counters have been removed or sufficiently weakened.
Team Options
========
* Slowbro benefits from cleric support from Pokemon such as Clefable and Blissey.
* Specially bulky Pokemon such as Blissey and Umbreon can take on common Grass-, Electric-, and Ghost-type Pokemon like Raikou and Gengar that threaten Slowbro.
* Amoonguss covers Slowbro's Electric- and Grass-type weaknesses and forms the second half of a core that can take advantage of Regenerator to pivot effectively.
* Hippowdon can check Electric-types, set Stealth Rock, and provide residual damage from Sand Stream to wear down opposing Slowbro checks. In return, Slowbro resists Water- and Ice-type attacks and can set up on bulky Water-types like Suicune that try to take advantage of Hippowdon.
* Fairy-types like Clefable, Klefki, and Togekiss benefit from Slowbro's resistance to Fire- and Steel-type attacks and can switch in on Bug-type and Dark-type attacks aimed at Slowbro. Many Fairy-types are also specially bulky and can handle special attackers that force Slowbro out.
* Steel-types resist Grass- and Bug-type attacks that give Slowbro trouble. In exchange, Slowbro can take on Fire- and Fighting-types like Cobalion, Keldeo, and Entei. Scizor can remove hazards with Defog and pivot into Slowbro with U-turn. Klefki can set up Spikes to punish the switches Slowbro forces. Forretress can both set up Spikes and clear entry hazards from Slowbro's side of the field.
* Fighting-types such as Cobalion, Infernape, and Conkeldurr provide answers to offensive Dark-types that threaten Slowbro.
* Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile can remove Ghost-types that threaten Slowbro, such as Gengar and Chandelure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Slowbro has a variety of coverage options. Flamethrower / Fire Blast, Ice Beam, Signal Beam, Future Sight, and Grass Knot can all catch its checks off guard, but they require giving up a STAB move, Calm Mind, or a utility option like Thunder Wave or Toxic. Flamethrower beats Steel-types, Ice Beam covers Grass-types that Psyshock hits neutrally and Dragon-types like Hydreigon, Signal Beam hits Celebi harder than any other option while still covering Hydreigon and Latias, and Grass Knot pressures bulky Water-types. An offensive tank set can take advantage of Slowbro's coverage options, but it misses out on the ability to serve as a wincon.
* Foul Play can punish physical setup sweepers.
* An Assault Vest set works well with Future Sight and can enable Slowbro to tank special attacks more effectively, but it comes at the cost of Slowbro's boosting, utility, and recovery options.
* Slowbro can use Trick Room to circumvent the issues it faces due to its low Speed and is bulky enough to set Trick Room multiple times throughout the match.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Celebi**: Celebi resists both of Slowbro's STAB types, hits it super effectively with Grass-type moves, and can set up Nasty Plots with impunity because Natural Cure allows it to remove status by switching out and Giga Drain enables it to recover from what little damage Slowbro can deal to it without Signal Beam.
**Latias**: Latias resists both of Slowbro's STAB types and can set up Calm Minds against it or force it out with the threat of a powerful Draco Meteor. Slowbro's best way of threatening Latias is through either status or uncommon coverage options.
**Hydreigon**: Hydreigon can switch in on Slowbro's STAB moves almost with impunity and KO it with STAB Dark Pulse. Like Latias, Hydreigon fears only status or uncommon coverage moves.
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Raikou or Rotom-C can KO Slowbro with their powerful STAB attacks.
**Status**: Toxic (and, to a lesser extent, burn and poison) cripple Slowbro and severely reduce its longevity.
**Strong Super Effective Coverage**: Strong Grass-, Electric-, Bug-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks can force Slowbro to switch out or KO it outright. Pokemon such as Celebi, Mega Absol, Bisharp, Decidueye, Krookodile, Gengar, and Hydreigon can all KO Slowbro with their powerful STAB attacks.
[OVERVIEW]
* 95 / 110 physical bulk makes Slowbro extremely physically durable.
* Slowbro's Water / Psychic typing provides six useful resistances.
* Regenerator and reliable recovery in Slack Off let Slowbro serve as an effective pivot.
* Base 100 Special Attack, STAB Scald, and a plethora of coverage options allow Slowbro to hit much of the tier for super effective damage and avoid being passive.
* Slowbro pairs well with common defensive Pokemon.
* Slowbro's poor Speed stat holds it back.
* Susceptibility to status is a disadvantage in comparison to other boosting sweepers like Suicune, Clefable, and Reuniclus.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Calm Mind / Thunder Wave
move 2: Scald
move 3: Psyshock
move 4: Slack Off
item: Leftovers / Waterium Z / Psychium Z
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind serves as Slowbro's boosting move and allows it to increase both its Special Attack and Special Defense.
* Scald is a consistent, reliable, spammable STAB move with good coverage and a 30% chance to burn the target.
* Psyshock is a secondary STAB move that allows Slowbro to break through special walls such as Blissey with enough boosts, helps Slowbro defeat other Calm Mind users, and threatens Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Tentacruel, and Keldeo.
* Slack Off provides Slowbro with reliable recovery.
* Thunder Wave allows Slowbro to support its team by crippling offensive Pokemon that rely on their speed.
Set Details
========
* 252 HP EVs maximize overall bulk.
* 24 Special Defense EVs allow Slowbro to survive two Hydro Pumps from Choice Specs Keldeo after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (80 Special Defense EVs are required for this purpose if Slowbro runs Waterium Z or Psychium Z).
* The remaining EVs augment Slowbro's ability to take physical attacks.
* Leftovers provides Slowbro with passive recovery.
* Waterium Z and Psychium Z allow Slowbro to switch into Knock Off more freely and hit its checks with a powerful STAB move.
Usage Tips
========
* Slowbro is a self-sustaining wincon that also provides early- and mid-game defensive utility.
* Slowbro can pivot into strong physical attackers, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Cobalion, Zygarde-10%, Infernape, Conkeldurr, and Mienshao.
* Slowbro can fire off Scalds or Psyshocks instead of using Slack Off to heal itself because Regenerator enables it to recover HP simply by switching out.
* Set up later in the match, after checks and counters have been removed or sufficiently weakened.
Team Options
========
* Slowbro benefits from cleric support from Pokemon such as Clefable and Blissey.
* Specially bulky Pokemon such as Blissey and Umbreon can take on common Grass-, Electric-, and Ghost-type Pokemon like Raikou and Gengar that threaten Slowbro.
* Amoonguss covers Slowbro's Electric- and Grass-type weaknesses and forms the second half of a core that can take advantage of Regenerator to pivot effectively.
* Hippowdon can check Electric-types, set Stealth Rock, and provide residual damage from Sand Stream to wear down opposing Slowbro checks. In return, Slowbro resists Water- and Ice-type attacks and can set up on bulky Water-types like Suicune that try to take advantage of Hippowdon.
* Fairy-types like Clefable, Klefki, and Togekiss benefit from Slowbro's resistance to Fire- and Steel-type attacks and can switch in on Bug-type and Dark-type attacks aimed at Slowbro. Many Fairy-types are also specially bulky and can handle special attackers that force Slowbro out.
* Steel-types resist Grass- and Bug-type attacks that give Slowbro trouble. In exchange, Slowbro can take on Fire- and Fighting-types like Cobalion, Keldeo, and Entei. Scizor can remove hazards with Defog and pivot into Slowbro with U-turn. Klefki can set up Spikes to punish the switches Slowbro forces. Forretress can both set up Spikes and clear entry hazards from Slowbro's side of the field.
* Fighting-types such as Cobalion, Infernape, and Conkeldurr provide answers to offensive Dark-types that threaten Slowbro.
* Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile can remove Ghost-types that threaten Slowbro, such as Gengar and Chandelure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Slowbro has a variety of coverage options. Flamethrower / Fire Blast, Ice Beam, Signal Beam, Future Sight, and Grass Knot can all catch its checks off guard, but they require giving up a STAB move, Calm Mind, or a utility option like Thunder Wave or Toxic. Flamethrower beats Steel-types, Ice Beam covers Grass-types that Psyshock hits neutrally and Dragon-types like Hydreigon, Signal Beam hits Celebi harder than any other option while still covering Hydreigon and Latias, and Grass Knot pressures bulky Water-types. An offensive tank set can take advantage of Slowbro's coverage options, but it misses out on the ability to serve as a wincon.
* Foul Play can punish physical setup sweepers.
* An Assault Vest set works well with Future Sight and can enable Slowbro to tank special attacks more effectively, but it comes at the cost of Slowbro's boosting, utility, and recovery options.
* Slowbro can use Trick Room to circumvent the issues it faces due to its low Speed and is bulky enough to set Trick Room multiple times throughout the match.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Celebi**: Celebi resists both of Slowbro's STAB types, hits it super effectively with Grass-type moves, and can set up Nasty Plots with impunity because Natural Cure allows it to remove status by switching out and Giga Drain enables it to recover from what little damage Slowbro can deal to it without Signal Beam.
**Latias**: Latias resists both of Slowbro's STAB types and can set up Calm Minds against it or force it out with the threat of a powerful Draco Meteor. Slowbro's best way of threatening Latias is through either status or uncommon coverage options.
**Hydreigon**: Hydreigon can switch in on Slowbro's STAB moves almost with impunity and KO it with STAB Dark Pulse. Like Latias, Hydreigon fears only status or uncommon coverage moves.
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Raikou or Rotom-C can KO Slowbro with their powerful STAB attacks.
**Status**: Toxic (and, to a lesser extent, burn and poison) cripple Slowbro and severely reduce its longevity.
**Strong Super Effective Coverage**: Strong Grass-, Electric-, Bug-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks can force Slowbro to switch out or KO it outright. Pokemon such as Celebi, Mega Absol, Bisharp, Decidueye, Krookodile, Gengar, and Hydreigon can all KO Slowbro with their powerful STAB attacks.
[OVERVIEW]
* 95 / 110 physical bulk makes Slowbro extremely physically durable.
* Slowbro's Water / Psychic typing provides six useful resistances.
* Regenerator and reliable recovery in Slack Off let Slowbro serve as an effective pivot.
* Base 100 Special Attack, STAB Scald, and a plethora of coverage options allow Slowbro to hit much of the tier for super effective damage and avoid being passive.
* Slowbro pairs well with common defensive Pokemon.
* Slowbro's poor Speed stat holds it back.
* Susceptibility to status is a disadvantage in comparison to other boosting sweepers like Suicune, Clefable, and Reuniclus.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Calm Mind / Thunder Wave
move 2: Scald
move 3: Psyshock
move 4: Slack Off
item: Leftovers / Waterium Z / Psychium Z
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Calm Mind serves as Slowbro's boosting move and allows it to increase both its Special Attack and Special Defense.
* Scald is a consistent, reliable, spammable STAB move with good coverage and a 30% chance to burn the target.
* Psyshock is a secondary STAB move that allows Slowbro to break through special walls such as Blissey with enough boosts, helps Slowbro defeat other Calm Mind users, and threatens Pokemon such as Amoonguss, Tentacruel, and Keldeo.
* Slack Off provides Slowbro with reliable recovery.
* Thunder Wave allows Slowbro to support its team by crippling offensive Pokemon that rely on their speed.
Set Details
========
* 252 HP EVs maximize overall bulk.
* 24 Special Defense EVs allow Slowbro to survive two Hydro Pumps from Choice Specs Keldeo after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery (80 Special Defense EVs are required for this purpose if Slowbro runs Waterium Z or Psychium Z).
* The remaining EVs augment Slowbro's ability to take physical attacks.
* Leftovers provides Slowbro with passive recovery.
* Waterium Z and Psychium Z allow Slowbro to switch into Knock Off more freely and hit its checks with a powerful STAB move.
Usage Tips
========
* Slowbro is a self-sustaining wincon that also provides early- and mid-game defensive utility.
* Slowbro can pivot into strong physical attackers, such as Mega Aerodactyl, Cobalion, Zygarde-10%, Infernape, Conkeldurr, and Mienshao.
* Slowbro can fire off Scalds or Psyshocks instead of using Slack Off to heal itself because Regenerator enables it to recover HP simply by switching out.
* Set up later in the match, after checks and counters have been removed or sufficiently weakened.
Team Options
========
* Slowbro benefits from cleric support from Pokemon such as Clefable and Blissey.
* Specially bulky Pokemon such as Blissey and Umbreon can take on common Grass-, Electric-, and Ghost-type Pokemon like Raikou and Gengar that threaten Slowbro.
* Amoonguss covers Slowbro's Electric- and Grass-type weaknesses and forms the second half of a core that can take advantage of Regenerator to pivot effectively.
* Hippowdon can check Electric-types, set Stealth Rock, and provide residual damage from Sand Stream to wear down opposing Slowbro checks. In return, Slowbro resists Water- and Ice-type attacks and can set up on bulky Water-types like Suicune that try to take advantage of Hippowdon.
* Fairy-types like Clefable, Klefki, and Togekiss benefit from Slowbro's resistance to Fire- and Steel-type attacks and can switch in on Bug-type and Dark-type attacks aimed at Slowbro. Many Fairy-types are also specially bulky and can handle special attackers that force Slowbro out.
* Steel-types resist Grass- and Bug-type attacks that give Slowbro trouble. In exchange, Slowbro can take on Fire- and Fighting-types like Cobalion, Keldeo, and Entei. Scizor can remove hazards with Defog and pivot into Slowbro with U-turn. Klefki can set up Spikes to punish the switches Slowbro forces. Forretress can both set up Spikes and clear entry hazards from Slowbro's side of the field.
* Fighting-types such as Cobalion, Infernape, and Conkeldurr provide answers to offensive Dark-types that threaten Slowbro.
* Pursuit trappers such as Mega Aerodactyl and Choice Scarf Krookodile can remove Ghost-types that threaten Slowbro, such as Gengar and Chandelure.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Slowbro has a variety of coverage options. Flamethrower / Fire Blast, Ice Beam, Signal Beam, Future Sight, and Grass Knot can all catch its checks off guard, but they require giving up a STAB move, Calm Mind, or a utility option like Thunder Wave or Toxic. Flamethrower beats Steel-types, Ice Beam covers Grass-types that Psyshock hits neutrally and Dragon-types like Hydreigon, Signal Beam hits Celebi harder than any other option while still covering Hydreigon and Latias, and Grass Knot pressures bulky Water-types. An offensive tank set can take advantage of Slowbro's coverage options, but it misses out on the ability to serve as a wincon.
* Foul Play can punish physical setup sweepers.
* An Assault Vest set works well with Future Sight and can enable Slowbro to tank special attacks more effectively, but it comes at the cost of Slowbro's boosting, utility, and recovery options.
* Slowbro can use Trick Room to circumvent the issues it faces due to its low Speed and is bulky enough to set Trick Room multiple times throughout the match.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Celebi**: Celebi resists both of Slowbro's STAB types, hits it super effectively with Grass-type moves, and can set up Nasty Plots with impunity because Natural Cure allows it to remove status by switching out and Giga Drain enables it to recover from what little damage Slowbro can deal to it without Signal Beam.
**Latias**: Latias resists both of Slowbro's STAB types and can set up Calm Minds against it or force it out with the threat of a powerful Draco Meteor. Slowbro's best way of threatening Latias is through either status or uncommon coverage options.
**Hydreigon**: Hydreigon can switch in on Slowbro's STAB moves almost with impunity and KO it with STAB Dark Pulse. Like Latias, Hydreigon fears only status or uncommon coverage moves.
**Electric-types**: Pokemon such as Raikou or Rotom-C can KO Slowbro with their powerful STAB attacks.
**Status**: Toxic (and, to a lesser extent, burn and poison) cripple Slowbro and severely reduce its longevity.
**Strong Super Effective Coverage**: Strong Grass-, Electric-, Bug-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks can force Slowbro to switch out or KO it outright. Pokemon such as Celebi, Mega Absol, Bisharp, Decidueye, Krookodile, Gengar, and Hydreigon can all KO Slowbro with their powerful STAB attacks.
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