LAXXXX
Taking this over for Delta and just pushing through GP.
GP: [V0x (credit to sirndpt] [Calm Pokemaster]
[Overview]
<p>Snorlax hasn't really changed much since its inception in RBY, still serving as a strong and bulky, albeit slow, attacker. This isn't exactly a good thing: for the first time in competitive Pokemon history, Snorlax finds itself in the UU tier. However, even in UU, Snorlax struggles to deal with the powerful Fighting-types that pervade the tier, due to a Normal typing that leaves much to be desired. Despite its flaws, Snorlax can function very effectively on any UU team as a physical attacker with Curse, a status absorber with RestTalk, or even a phazer with Whirlwind. Snorlax can also easily tank Fire- and Ice-type moves thanks to Thick Fat, or enjoy a poison status immunity courtesy of its other ability, Immunity. At first glance, it may seem to be a rather one-sided Pokemon, but upon closer inspection, Snorlax can fulfill a variety of roles that makes it a great addition to any UU team.</p>
[SET]
name: CurseLax
move 1: Curse
move 2: Body Slam / Return
move 3: Earthquake / Crunch / Fire Punch
move 4: Rest
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful
evs: 188 HP / 104 Def / 216 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>CurseLax is Snorlax's most famous set: after a few Curses, even super effective Fighting-type moves won't be able to OHKO it. Body Slam is the primary STAB move as Snorlax and its teammates generally prefer its chance of paralysis to Return's higher Base Power. The third moveslot is highly dependent on your team's needs. Earthquake destroys Steel-, Rock-, and Poison-types such as Registeel, Rhyperior, and Nidoking, while Crunch hits Ghost-types such as Mismagius which are immune to Body Slam very hard, and may cause a Defense drop. Fire Punch is mainly for Escavalier and Ferroseed; both are fairly uncommon though, making it an inferior option. Rest may seem strange in the fourth moveslot, but it is Snorlax's only form of recovery, and Snorlax can also tank a few hits while asleep easily.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Although quite a few coverage moves have been listed on the main set, it is possible to forego Rest for a third coverage move; this is generally not encouraged as it will greatly reduce Snorlax's staying power. Snorlax has access to a powerful STAB Double-Edge, but the recoil is unattractive, especially for a Pokemon that so heavily relies on its bulk. Counter is an interesting option on CurseLax due to its high HP and good Defense after a few Curses. Snorlax has access to a variety of other physical attacks, but the ones listed are the most effective and useful.</p>
<p>As with most bulky Pokemon, Leftovers is a rather fitting item for Snorlax; the passive recovery from Leftovers, however little, is always appreciated since Snorlax otherwise has only Rest to fall back on for recovery. The preferred ability is Thick Fat, as it allows Snorlax to take Fire- and Ice-type attacks much better, and since this set has Rest, Toxic Spikes won't be bothering it enough to warrant the use of Immunity. The EV spread along with a Careful nature optimize Snorlax's bulk; since Curse will increase Snorlax's Defense, more EVs are invested into Special Defense.</p>
<p>Snorlax's vulnerablity to powerful Fighting-type attacks from the likes of Heracross and Machamp even after a Curse or two necessitates the use of teammates to eliminate these Fighting-types. Fast Psychic-types such as Alakazam can easily take out non-Choice Scarf variants of Heracross and Machamp. Since this set has Rest, status doesn't particularly bother Snorlax, though it does hinder it slightly by forcing it to use Rest more often. In addition, with only two coverage moves, Snorlax will be walled by something depending on what auxiliary move is chosen. If Snorlax runs Crunch, Steel-types and bulky Rock-types wall Snorlax to no end, if Earthquake is the secondary move, Mismagius can't be touched at all, and if Fire Punch is used, Chandelure and Rhyperior can come in for free and proceed to set up all over Snorlax. For this reason, teammates who can handle the previously mentioned threats are also useful, though the choice of teammate depends on the choice of the secondary attack. For example, when running Crunch, a powerful Fighting- or Water-type such as Heracross or Suicune, respectively, is recommended to help take care of Steel- and Rock-types. If Earthquake is used, a strong Pursuit user such as Spiritomb or Heracross is needed to take out Mismagius and most other Ghost-types. Likewise, if Fire Punch is the secondary move option, a bulky Water-type such as Suicune or Milotic is necessary to help deal with threats such as Rhyperior and Chandelure, both of whom can set up on Fire Punch or Body Slam.</p>
[SET]
name: Offensive
move 1: Body Slam / Return
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Crunch / Fire Punch
move 4: Pursuit
item: Leftovers / Choice Band
ability: Thick Fat / Immunity
nature: Adamant
evs: 80 HP / 252 Atk / 176 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>With its base 110 Attack and excellent bulk, Snorlax has always been a powerhouse among Normal-types, dishing out powerful hits and taking non-Fighting-type moves like a champ. Unlike the Curse set, which relies on more bulk to set up and do damage, Snorlax takes advantage of its high Attack stat to hit hard from the get-go. Despite Body Slam's lower Base Power, it is a superior option over Return as the paralysis chance works especially well with Snorlax's abysmal Speed stat. Earthquake hits the Steel- and Rock-types that wall Snorlax's STAB move, and is a great coverage move in general. It also has the added advantage of hitting Fire-types for super effective damage. Crunch deals with Ghost-types, though Pokemon such as Sableye and Spiritomb may give Snorlax trouble due to their neutrality to Dark-type attacks and access to Will-O-Wisp. Although the coverage that Fire Punch provides may seem redundant at first, it hits Steel- and Bug-types such as Escavalier and Durant, which otherwise wall Snorlax completely, but Crunch is usually the better option. In the final moveslot, Pursuit is the best option to trap fleeing Ghost- and Psychic-types such as Mismagius, Azelf, and Alakazam.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Since this variant of Snorlax has three coverage moves, it is much harder to wall. While Leftovers is usually the preferred item for the ability to switch moves and to increase Snorlax's longevity, Choice Band is a perfectly viable option to increase its power output even more, turning Snorlax into quite the heavy hitter. Unfortunately, Choice Band really limits Snorlax since its only STAB has poor coverage and even an immunity. Unlike its other sets, this variant has no form of recovery other than the limited passive recovery provided by Leftovers, and is therefore much more reliant on its teammates for support. The majority of viable Wish users in the UU tier, such as Chansey and Umbreon, share a Fighting-type weakness with Snorlax though, and it can thus run Rest over a coverage move; however, this greatly reduces this set's effectiveness, and is better left to the more defensive sets. If Snorlax is burned, it essentially becomes a dead weight unless provided with cleric support. Uxie thus makes a great teammate as it packs access to Heal Bell, a useful Fighting-type resistance, and the bulk to take most physical attacks aimed at Snorlax. Uxie can also set up Stealth Rock, allowing Snorlax to get easier KOs.</p>
<p>Snorlax has two equally usable abilities: Thick Fat and Immunity. Both are useful in different ways, and the choice depends on what your team needs. If your team is especially susceptible to Toxic Spikes or, say, SubRoost Zapdos with Toxic, then Immunity is the way to go. On the other hand, if Fire- and Ice-type attacks are proving to be difficult to handle for Snorlax's teammates, Thick Fat is the preferred ability. The EV spread along with an Adamant nature provides Snorlax with maximum attacking power, while giving it some bulk; investing in Snorlax's abysmal Speed is pointless, obviously. On that note, paralysis support is also very helpful for Snorlax to outspeed and KO more threats.</p>
[SET]
name: RestTalk
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Body Slam
move 4: Whirlwind
item: Leftovers
ability: Thick Fat
nature: Careful
evs: 208 HP / 124 Def / 176 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Because Snorlax is so adept at sponging special attacks with its gargantuan HP and great Special Defense, and also has access to a phazing move in the form of Whirlwind, it makes a great candidate for a RestTalk set. Although the glaring Fighting-type weakness may be off-putting, Snorlax is bulky enough to take most neutral attacks. Rest and Sleep Talk obviously form the crux of the set, allowing Snorlax to restore itself to full health, and do something while it is asleep. Body Slam's paralysis chance makes it the prime option for an attacking move, as once targets have been paralyzed, Snorlax will be able to phaze before they can attack by Sleep Talk selecting Whirlwind. Body Slam also becomes superior to Return because of the lack of Attack investment.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Unlike the other two sets, this set requires Leftovers and the ability Thick Fat to be of any real use. As previously mentioned, Leftovers grants Snorlax useful passive healing, and Thick Fat allows it to take virtually any Fire- or Ice-type attack. In contrast to the other sets, this variant aims to take attacks, Rest off the damage, and rack up entry hazard damage by phazing with Whirlwind. For this reason, there is no offensive investment, the EVs instead being distributed between Snorlax's HP, Defense, and Special Defense. However, the EV spread is not set in stone, and can be changed according to your team's needs. For example, if you intend to use Snorlax as a special wall, a 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD spread is absolutely viable.</p>
<p>However, this variant of Snorlax is even more reliant on team support. Since Body Slam is Snorlax's only attacking move, it is easily walled by Ghost-types. Therefore, teammates that can rid Snorlax of those troubling Ghost-types, such as Houndoom and Drapion, are greatly appreciated. In addition, entry hazards are required in order for this set to even function at all. Nidoqueen is a great teammate as it can set up Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, and has a resistance to Fighting-type attacks. Likewise, Qwilfish is an amazing teammate for its ability Intimidate, access to Spikes and Toxic Spikes, and a resistance to Fighting-type moves as well.</p>
[Other Options]
<p>Snorlax boasts a surprisingly large physical movepool for a Normal-type, consisting of interesting attacks such as Zen Headbutt, Iron Head, Superpower, Wild Charge, Double-Edge, Gunk Shot, Seed Bomb, Focus Punch, the elemental punches, and even Outrage. Unfortunately, these moves are relatively useless on Snorlax, as Earthquake, Crunch, and Fire Punch are sufficient for coverage. Snorlax also has a wide variety of special moves; unfortunately, with Snorlax's abysmal Special Attack, they won't be doing much damage. In addition, Snorlax has many gimmicky moves that could potentially work, but are far too risky. Belly Drum maximizes Snorlax's Attack, but halves its HP. This seems like a strategy with high potential on paper, but in reality, Snorlax will rarely ever find the chance to take advantage of that boost thanks to its health being cut in half; it also lacks the Speed to abuse the Attack boost. Yawn, Toxic, Stockpile, and Counter are interesting support options as well, but are usually inferior to the above moves.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>The best counters to Snorlax are obviously Fighting-types such as Machamp, Cobalion, and Heracross who can all easily eliminate Snorlax with their STAB moves, breaking through even after a few Defense boosts from Curse due to their sheer power. Machamp in particular is especially annoying as its 100% accurate DynamicPunch also causes confusion. Cobalion has the added benefit of resisting Snorlax's STAB, and avoids getting 2HKOed by an unboosted Fire Punch or Earthquake most of the time. It can then set up a Swords Dance and proceed to sweep. Bulky Ghost-types such as Cofagrigus also serve as decent counters to Snorlax, as they can easily cripple it with Will-O-Wisp. In general, strong physical attacks will eventually take down Snorlax, as its Defense is below average and easily taken advantage of.</p>
[Dream World]
<p>Snorlax receives Gluttony from the Dream World. Unfortunately, Snorlax is much too slow to take advantage of any berry boosts aided by Gluttony, and this should thus never be considered over Thick Fat or Immunity.</p>
