Old Thread: https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/slowking-qc-1-2.3680817/post-8797148
[OVERVIEW]
With its useful typing, good defensive stats, and awesome ability in Regenerator, Slowking claims its spot in BW OU as one of the very few effective counters to Keldeo. Due to its high Special Defense, Slowking can also shrug off special hits from top tier threats like Latios, Alakazam, and Tornadus. Its problems are its very low Speed and average physical bulk, which make Slowking a target for U-turn users like Landorus-T and Scizor as well as powerful physical attackers like Tyranitar, Excadrill, and Garchomp.
[SET]
name: Special Wall
move 1: Slack Off
move 2: Scald
move 3: Dragon Tail / Ice Beam / Thunder Wave
move 4: Fire Blast / Psyshock / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Slack Off lets Slowking wall Keldeo, Latios, Alakazam and Reuniclus. Scald is Slowking's best offensive move option due to its ability to cripple Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and bulky Water-types. Dragon Tail lets Slowking phaze Pokemon that can try to set up on it, like Calm Mind Reuniclus and Latios. Alternatively, Ice Beam is Slowking's best option to not be setup bait for Substitute users like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Breloom while still pressuring Latios and specially defensive Gliscor. Fire Blast is mainly for Ferrothorn, which can otherwise use Slowking to stack Spikes. It also nails other Grass-types like Celebi and Breloom. However, Psyshock is an option that lets Slowking damage Water-types, especially Keldeo, Jellicent, and Tentacruel, while also hitting Terrakion and defeating Toxicroak, Amoonguss, and Breloom. Finally, Thunder Wave keeps dangerous setup sweepers like Quiver Dance Volcarona in check while crippling other fast threats like Alakazam, Latios, Keldeo, and Tornadus for Slowking's teammates. While Dragon Tail + Ice Beam is also a viable option, this combination requires specific support to work considering it leaves Slowking exploited by Water-types and Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
252 HP with 180 Special Defense EVs alongside a Calm nature let Slowking avoid a 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump in rain after Stealth Rock and avoid an OHKO from +1 Volcarona's Bug Buzz without entry hazard damage. An alternative spread of 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD with a Calm nature can be used to improve Slowking's general utility and still take Substitute Thundurus-T's Thunder while not being 2HKOed by Mamoswine's Earthquake and reducing Pursuit damage. However, this spread leaves Slowking unable to check Volcarona or Choice Specs Keldeo in rain if Stealth Rock is up. A Bold nature can also be considered because it makes it easier to take Tyranitar's Pursuit and other physical attacks from Pokemon like Gliscor, Mamoswine, and Garchomp while still being able to take on threats like Keldeo, Alakazam, and Latios.
Usage Tips
========
Use Slowking to wall strong special attackers like Keldeo, Latios, and Alakazam, and use Slack Off as soon as its HP drops below 67% because it usually needs to be at full health to safely check those Pokemon. Spam Scald early-game to burn Pokemon that can otherwise freely switch into Slowking, like Ferrothorn and Rotom-W. Be smart with when you use potential coverage moves because it's the surprise factor that will make them work most of the time. If using Psyshock, Ice Beam, or Fire Blast, only reveal them when you're sure Slowking will get the KO or permanently cripple its targets. Use Dragon Tail if a Pokemon that can normally use Slowking as setup fodder enters the field, like Reuniclus, Latias, or Volcarona, and if Spikes is up, as Slowking can force a lot of switches. Avoid getting Slowking statused, since burns and poison make it easier to KO and paralysis can keep it from using Slack Off.
Team Options
========
Slowking is vulnerable to all entry hazards, so using it alongside Rapid Spin support is a must. Because of this, its best partner is Mold Breaker Excadrill, which can also deal with Slowking's Electric-type weakness and even defeat Rotom-W. Pokemon that can switch into Rotom-W and other Electric-types like Latios, Poison Heal Breloom, Amoonguss, and Celebi are important partners. Slowking also loves to be paired with Tyranitar because it can remove Reuniclus, one of Slowking's biggest problems, while setting up sand to help it defeat rain structures and helping Slowking check Latios. Other Pursuit users like Scizor and Weavile are also usable. Slowking needs entry hazard support to be used effectively, especially Spikes, so Ferrothorn or Skarmory is strongly recomended. Other Stealth Rock users like Landorus-T, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Heatran are also very good choices. On the offensive side, Pokemon that can help with setup sweepers that Slowking can't deal with are appreciated. Choice Specs or Choice Scarf Latios is an awesome partner because it can check Thundurus-T and cripple setup Pokemon with Trick. Choice Scarf Garchomp can check Volcarona and help against Thundurus-T and DragMag teams. Dragonite can also be used to check Volcarona and revenge kill setup sweepers with Extreme Speed, but it isn't quite as good on sand teams. Mamoswine can deal with weakened Thundurus-T and Dragon-types with Ice Shard and loves Slowking's defensive support. Magnezone can trap and remove the two most common Spikes users, Ferrothorn and Skarmory, while pressuring Excadrill if using Choice Scarf or Air Balloon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flamethrower can be used over Fire Blast to have a perfectly accurate move, but its power loss is big, and it can prevent Slowking from KOing its main target, Ferrothorn. Future Sight can be used alongside Dragon Tail to force damage on Pokemon that are weak to it, like Breloom and Keldeo, but the randomness of Dragon Tail makes this a bit unreliable. Toxic is another option, but Slowking's moveslots are valuable, and spreading status is normally done better by other Pokemon. Protect lets Slowking get out of KO range against strong Pokemon like Keldeo and Mamoswine while also letting it scout for Choice-locked moves and stack Leftovers recovery or sand damage, but it's hard to find a moveslot for it. Calm Mind can be used on a physically defensive set to have a backup cleaner, but this job is better done by Slowbro or Reuniclus. Nasty Plot can be used to more effectively threaten sand teams, but it costs a valuable move slot and can struggle to get KOs even at +2 due to Slowking's relatively low Special Attack. Lack of power is also why offensive Trick Room sets struggle to be worthwhile. Grass Knot can be used to KO Gastrodon and Seismitoad while doing decent damage to Jellicent, but it lacks other targets. Signal Beam can be used to pressure Celebi while damaging other Psychic-types but hits little else. Magic Coat, Block, or Disable can be used as a way to defeat other balance structures, but it's very difficult to find a moveslot for them. Reflect can be used to prevent Slowking from being Pursuit trapped by Scizor and Tyranitar while supporting its teammates with the Defense boost, but Pursuit users are normally afraid of being burned by directly switching into Scald anyway. Hail is an option on weatherless teams to remove sand, rain, and sun. Eject Button can be used alongside a Pursuit user to instantly remove Latios, but the lack of Leftovers reduces Slowking's utility throughout the game, especially if sand is up. A set with Choice Specs + Trick can be used to get surprise KOs or to cripple Slowking's common switch-ins, but it becomes very mediocre once the surprise factor wears off. A set with maximum Defense investment and a Bold nature maximizes Slowking's defensive utility against sand at the expense of its reliability against rain offense
Checks and Counters
===================
**VoltTurn users**: Rotom-W can burn Slowking with Will-O-Wisp, use it as a Pain Split target, or directly damage it with Volt Switch, only fearing a Scald burn or the rare Toxic. Scizor threatens to OHKO Slowking with Choice Band or Life Orb-boosted U-turn, but it must watch out for a Scald burn or Fire Blast. Landorus-T can heavily damage Slowking with Earthquake and U-turn, but it can't directly switch into Slowking. Tornadus similarly uses Hurricane and U-turn but it also doesn't like to directly switch into an attacking move or Thunder Wave. Thundurus-T and Magnezone can threaten Slowking immediately with Volt Switch or a stronger Electric-type move, but they have a hard time switching into an attacking move.
**Pursuit**: Tyranitar creates a deadly mind game with Crunch and Pursuit, especially if it's a more offensive variant. Scizor and Weavile also force Pursuit mind games. However, all of those Pokemon must watch out for a Scald burn and, if running Choice items, can be effectively scouted with Protect should Slowking be running it.
**Grass-types**: Celebi takes little damage even from Fire Blast and can use Slowking to heal, set up Stealth Rock or Nasty Plot, or threaten it immediately with a Grass-type move. Ferrothorn can deal massive damage to Slowking with Power Whip, remove its item with Knock Off, or use it to stack entry hazards, but it must be wary of Fire Blast or a Scald burn. Amoonguss can wall any Slowking lacking Psyshock or Fire Blast. Breloom can threaten an immediate OHKO with Technician Bullet Seed or heavily damage Slowking with Seed Bomb from Poison Heal sets, but it can't switch into Psychic, Fire Blast, or Ice Beam.
**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B only cares about Scald burns and Thunder Wave, and it threatens an immediate OHKO with Outrage or Fusion Bolt. Choice Specs Hydreigon threatens a 2HKO with Dark Pulse, but it must be wary of Ice Beam and Thunder Wave. Latios and Latias can set up Calm Mind on any Slowking lacking Dragon Tail, Thunder Wave, or the rarer Toxic. Similarly, Dragonite can use non-Dragon Tail Slowking to set up Dragon Dance or Substitute, as Ice Beam isn't an OHKO if Multiscale is active. Kyurem can use any Slowking to set up Substitute and can PP stall it with Roost and Protect. Swords Dance Garchomp and Dragon Dance Salamence can use Slowking to set up if they are holding Yache Berry, or if Slowking is lacking Ice Beam or Dragon Tail.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051], [Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [BKC, 52012]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Lumari, 232216]]
[OVERVIEW]
With its useful typing, good defensive stats, and awesome ability in Regenerator, Slowking claims its spot in BW OU as one of the very few effective counters to Keldeo. Due to its high Special Defense, Slowking can also shrug off special hits from top tier threats like Latios, Alakazam, and Tornadus. Its problems are its very low Speed and average physical bulk, which make Slowking a target for U-turn users like Landorus-T and Scizor as well as powerful physical attackers like Tyranitar, Excadrill, and Garchomp.
[SET]
name: Special Wall
move 1: Slack Off
move 2: Scald
move 3: Dragon Tail / Ice Beam / Thunder Wave
move 4: Fire Blast / Psyshock / Thunder Wave
item: Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Calm
evs: 252 HP / 76 Def / 180 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Slack Off lets Slowking wall Keldeo, Latios, Alakazam and Reuniclus. Scald is Slowking's best offensive move option due to its ability to cripple Ferrothorn, Skarmory, and bulky Water-types. Dragon Tail lets Slowking phaze Pokemon that can try to set up on it, like Calm Mind Reuniclus and Latios. Alternatively, Ice Beam is Slowking's best option to not be setup bait for Substitute users like Dragonite, Garchomp, and Breloom while still pressuring Latios and specially defensive Gliscor. Fire Blast is mainly for Ferrothorn, which can otherwise use Slowking to stack Spikes. It also nails other Grass-types like Celebi and Breloom. However, Psyshock is an option that lets Slowking damage Water-types, especially Keldeo, Jellicent, and Tentacruel, while also hitting Terrakion and defeating Toxicroak, Amoonguss, and Breloom. Finally, Thunder Wave keeps dangerous setup sweepers like Quiver Dance Volcarona in check while crippling other fast threats like Alakazam, Latios, Keldeo, and Tornadus for Slowking's teammates. While Dragon Tail + Ice Beam is also a viable option, this combination requires specific support to work considering it leaves Slowking exploited by Water-types and Ferrothorn.
Set Details
========
252 HP with 180 Special Defense EVs alongside a Calm nature let Slowking avoid a 2HKO from Choice Specs Keldeo's Hydro Pump in rain after Stealth Rock and avoid an OHKO from +1 Volcarona's Bug Buzz without entry hazard damage. An alternative spread of 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD with a Calm nature can be used to improve Slowking's general utility and still take Substitute Thundurus-T's Thunder while not being 2HKOed by Mamoswine's Earthquake and reducing Pursuit damage. However, this spread leaves Slowking unable to check Volcarona or Choice Specs Keldeo in rain if Stealth Rock is up. A Bold nature can also be considered because it makes it easier to take Tyranitar's Pursuit and other physical attacks from Pokemon like Gliscor, Mamoswine, and Garchomp while still being able to take on threats like Keldeo, Alakazam, and Latios.
Usage Tips
========
Use Slowking to wall strong special attackers like Keldeo, Latios, and Alakazam, and use Slack Off as soon as its HP drops below 67% because it usually needs to be at full health to safely check those Pokemon. Spam Scald early-game to burn Pokemon that can otherwise freely switch into Slowking, like Ferrothorn and Rotom-W. Be smart with when you use potential coverage moves because it's the surprise factor that will make them work most of the time. If using Psyshock, Ice Beam, or Fire Blast, only reveal them when you're sure Slowking will get the KO or permanently cripple its targets. Use Dragon Tail if a Pokemon that can normally use Slowking as setup fodder enters the field, like Reuniclus, Latias, or Volcarona, and if Spikes is up, as Slowking can force a lot of switches. Avoid getting Slowking statused, since burns and poison make it easier to KO and paralysis can keep it from using Slack Off.
Team Options
========
Slowking is vulnerable to all entry hazards, so using it alongside Rapid Spin support is a must. Because of this, its best partner is Mold Breaker Excadrill, which can also deal with Slowking's Electric-type weakness and even defeat Rotom-W. Pokemon that can switch into Rotom-W and other Electric-types like Latios, Poison Heal Breloom, Amoonguss, and Celebi are important partners. Slowking also loves to be paired with Tyranitar because it can remove Reuniclus, one of Slowking's biggest problems, while setting up sand to help it defeat rain structures and helping Slowking check Latios. Other Pursuit users like Scizor and Weavile are also usable. Slowking needs entry hazard support to be used effectively, especially Spikes, so Ferrothorn or Skarmory is strongly recomended. Other Stealth Rock users like Landorus-T, Gliscor, Garchomp, and Heatran are also very good choices. On the offensive side, Pokemon that can help with setup sweepers that Slowking can't deal with are appreciated. Choice Specs or Choice Scarf Latios is an awesome partner because it can check Thundurus-T and cripple setup Pokemon with Trick. Choice Scarf Garchomp can check Volcarona and help against Thundurus-T and DragMag teams. Dragonite can also be used to check Volcarona and revenge kill setup sweepers with Extreme Speed, but it isn't quite as good on sand teams. Mamoswine can deal with weakened Thundurus-T and Dragon-types with Ice Shard and loves Slowking's defensive support. Magnezone can trap and remove the two most common Spikes users, Ferrothorn and Skarmory, while pressuring Excadrill if using Choice Scarf or Air Balloon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Flamethrower can be used over Fire Blast to have a perfectly accurate move, but its power loss is big, and it can prevent Slowking from KOing its main target, Ferrothorn. Future Sight can be used alongside Dragon Tail to force damage on Pokemon that are weak to it, like Breloom and Keldeo, but the randomness of Dragon Tail makes this a bit unreliable. Toxic is another option, but Slowking's moveslots are valuable, and spreading status is normally done better by other Pokemon. Protect lets Slowking get out of KO range against strong Pokemon like Keldeo and Mamoswine while also letting it scout for Choice-locked moves and stack Leftovers recovery or sand damage, but it's hard to find a moveslot for it. Calm Mind can be used on a physically defensive set to have a backup cleaner, but this job is better done by Slowbro or Reuniclus. Nasty Plot can be used to more effectively threaten sand teams, but it costs a valuable move slot and can struggle to get KOs even at +2 due to Slowking's relatively low Special Attack. Lack of power is also why offensive Trick Room sets struggle to be worthwhile. Grass Knot can be used to KO Gastrodon and Seismitoad while doing decent damage to Jellicent, but it lacks other targets. Signal Beam can be used to pressure Celebi while damaging other Psychic-types but hits little else. Magic Coat, Block, or Disable can be used as a way to defeat other balance structures, but it's very difficult to find a moveslot for them. Reflect can be used to prevent Slowking from being Pursuit trapped by Scizor and Tyranitar while supporting its teammates with the Defense boost, but Pursuit users are normally afraid of being burned by directly switching into Scald anyway. Hail is an option on weatherless teams to remove sand, rain, and sun. Eject Button can be used alongside a Pursuit user to instantly remove Latios, but the lack of Leftovers reduces Slowking's utility throughout the game, especially if sand is up. A set with Choice Specs + Trick can be used to get surprise KOs or to cripple Slowking's common switch-ins, but it becomes very mediocre once the surprise factor wears off. A set with maximum Defense investment and a Bold nature maximizes Slowking's defensive utility against sand at the expense of its reliability against rain offense
Checks and Counters
===================
**VoltTurn users**: Rotom-W can burn Slowking with Will-O-Wisp, use it as a Pain Split target, or directly damage it with Volt Switch, only fearing a Scald burn or the rare Toxic. Scizor threatens to OHKO Slowking with Choice Band or Life Orb-boosted U-turn, but it must watch out for a Scald burn or Fire Blast. Landorus-T can heavily damage Slowking with Earthquake and U-turn, but it can't directly switch into Slowking. Tornadus similarly uses Hurricane and U-turn but it also doesn't like to directly switch into an attacking move or Thunder Wave. Thundurus-T and Magnezone can threaten Slowking immediately with Volt Switch or a stronger Electric-type move, but they have a hard time switching into an attacking move.
**Pursuit**: Tyranitar creates a deadly mind game with Crunch and Pursuit, especially if it's a more offensive variant. Scizor and Weavile also force Pursuit mind games. However, all of those Pokemon must watch out for a Scald burn and, if running Choice items, can be effectively scouted with Protect should Slowking be running it.
**Grass-types**: Celebi takes little damage even from Fire Blast and can use Slowking to heal, set up Stealth Rock or Nasty Plot, or threaten it immediately with a Grass-type move. Ferrothorn can deal massive damage to Slowking with Power Whip, remove its item with Knock Off, or use it to stack entry hazards, but it must be wary of Fire Blast or a Scald burn. Amoonguss can wall any Slowking lacking Psyshock or Fire Blast. Breloom can threaten an immediate OHKO with Technician Bullet Seed or heavily damage Slowking with Seed Bomb from Poison Heal sets, but it can't switch into Psychic, Fire Blast, or Ice Beam.
**Dragon-types**: Kyurem-B only cares about Scald burns and Thunder Wave, and it threatens an immediate OHKO with Outrage or Fusion Bolt. Choice Specs Hydreigon threatens a 2HKO with Dark Pulse, but it must be wary of Ice Beam and Thunder Wave. Latios and Latias can set up Calm Mind on any Slowking lacking Dragon Tail, Thunder Wave, or the rarer Toxic. Similarly, Dragonite can use non-Dragon Tail Slowking to set up Dragon Dance or Substitute, as Ice Beam isn't an OHKO if Multiscale is active. Kyurem can use any Slowking to set up Substitute and can PP stall it with Roost and Protect. Swords Dance Garchomp and Dragon Dance Salamence can use Slowking to set up if they are holding Yache Berry, or if Slowking is lacking Ice Beam or Dragon Tail.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Caetano93, 394051], [Ophion, 433215]]
- Quality checked by: [[Finchinator, 114198], [BKC, 52012]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Lumari, 232216]]
Last edited:
