Oathkeeper
"Wait!" he says, do I look like a waiter?
[OVERVIEW]
Steelix's natural bulk, defensive typing, and multiple utility options make it an excellent Stealth Rock setter for balanced or bulky offensive teams. Its solid typing blocks Volt Switch from common Electric-types while also packing a Toxic immunity, something no other Stealth Rock user can offer. Additionally, it serves as a check to common threats like Sylveon, Xurkitree, Toxtricity, Registeel, and Metagross. However, some Electric- and Fairy-types, such as Raikou, Gardevoir, and Togekiss, commonly carry coverage moves that Steelix is vulnerable to. Steelix also struggles with common Water-types like Seismitoad, Milotic, and Volcanion, and its Grass neutrality makes it a Steel-type that cannot reliably check threats like Zarude and Roserade.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Heavy Slam
move 4: Toxic
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Heavy Slam reliably beats Sylveon, OHKOes Gardevoir, and 2HKOes Togekiss. Toxic puts common switch-ins to Steelix, like Milotic and Seismitoad, under pressure. The last moveslot is fairly flexible. Body Press, for example, allows Steelix to 2HKO Zarude and OHKO Obstagoon. Head Smash coupled with Rock Head can catch Crobat and Noivern off guard and force them to use Roost.
Since this set focuses on checking foes, setting up Stealth Rock, and providing Toxic support for balanced or bulky offensive teams, Steelix is forced out by numerous threats, including Ground-types like Zygarde-10%, Rhyperior, and Gastrodon. Because of this, teammates like Zarude, Togekiss, and Milotic are appreciated. Togekiss can come in on Zygarde-10%'s Thousand Arrows, while Milotic can switch into any of the Ground-types. Common Water-types like Milotic, Seismitoad, and Suicune force Steelix out or cripple it. Xurkitree, Raikou, Roserade, and the aforementioned Zarude work as answers to them. Zarude is notable because it can pivot on Fairy-types as well as check Zygarde-10%, while Roserade can provide Spikes support, put more pressure on Togekiss, and check Raikou. Xurkitree can pick off Zygarde-10% with Dazzling Gleam and threaten other Ground-types with Energy Ball. Fire-types like Chandelure and Volcanion also offensively pressure Steelix, so partners like Incineroar and Noivern are greatly appreciated. Fighting-types like Heracross and Mienshao appreciate Steelix checking Fairy-types that they struggle with. Fairy-type partners like Sylveon and Galarian Weezing are appreciated, since Sylveon can provide Wish support as well as check threats like Toxtricity if need be, while Galarian Weezing works well as a switch-in to Fighting-types as well as Zarude and can provide Defog support. A teammate like Crobat or Darmanitan can scare off Grass-types like Zarude and Roserade, which Steelix is not a reliable switch-in or check to.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Iron Defense + Body Press can handle threats like Curse Snorlax reliably. However, another move must be sacrificed for Iron Defense, and dropping Earthquake leaves Steelix susceptible to Electric-types. Dragon Tail or Roar could be thrown in for setup sweepers like Calm Mind Galarian Slowbro, Reuniclus, and Suicune. Unfortunately, the moves force Steelix to move last, so it can end up getting KOed by Scald or Focus Blast.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Water-types**: Milotic, Seismitoad, and Suicune barely take any damage from Steelix's moves and only worry about Toxic, which Suicune can cure with Rest.
**Ground-types**: Zygarde-10%, Rhyperior, and Gastrodon offensively pressure Steelix. They don't want to be hit with Toxic, however.
**Fighting-types**: Mienshao and Heracross can pick off weakened Steelix with Close Combat.
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Galarian Slowbro, Magic Guard Reuniclus, Suicune, and Snorlax don't mind switching into Toxic and freely set up on Steelix.
**Fire-types**: Chandelure, Volcanion, and Darmanitan force Steelix out with ease. They need to beware of Earthquake from Sturdy variants, however.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Oathkeepre, 83980]]
- Quality checked by: [[EonX, 91480], [Jmash, 363823]]
- Grammar checked by: [[CryoGyro, 331519], [Milak, 262594]]
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