[SET]
name: Substitute + Glare (Normal)
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Glare
move 3: Thunderbolt
move 4: Grass Knot
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Leftovers
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Timid
evs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Heliolisk makes its mark on Normal teams thanks to its ability Dry Skin alongside its offensive stats and coverage, which allow it to put in tons of work against Water and Flying teams. Glare allows it to paralyze faster threats such as Kingdra under rain and Choice Scarf Cobalion when Heliolisk is behind a Substitute. Glare mainly allows it to spread status well due to only Electric-type Pokemon being immune to it. Thunderbolt permits it to threaten Water- and Flying-type Pokemon such as Toxapex, Mantine, and Corviknight. Grass Knot grants Heliolisk the ability to target Water- and Ground-type Pokemon such as Seismitoad, Gastrodon, Mamoswine, and Rhyperior. The combination of Thunderbolt and Grass Knot allows Heliolisk to threaten every Water-type Pokemon for super effective damage. Substitute allows Heliolisk to take advantage of passive Pokemon such as Mantine, Toxapex, and specially defensive Aegislash. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Heliolisk to ignore entry hazards that will hinder it such as Sticky Web and Toxic Spikes. However, Leftovers can be used to passively regain health, giving it more opportunities to set up a Substitute. Dry Skin grants Heliolisk an immunity to Water-type attacks, allowing it to switch into attacks such as Dracovish's Fishious Rend and Azumarill's Aqua Jet, which can otherwise devastate Normal teams. Maximum EVs in Special Attack and Speed ensure it is as powerful as possible and faster than Pokemon such as Keldeo. Heliolisk should try to set up a Substitute against Water teams, especially on passive Pokemon such as Toxapex and Mantine or Pokemon Choice-locked into a Water-type attack such as Choice Scarf Rotom-W's Hydro Pump. Substitute then allows it to severely threaten Water teams. Outside of the Water and Flying matchups, Heliolisk's main job is to be spreading paralysis with Glare,(AC) which can be done more easily if it's behind a Substitute.
Heliolisk supports its offensive teammates with Glare, allowing them to outspeed threats such as Hydreigon. Blissey is a fantastic partner, as it can switch into a plethora of attacks for it such as Rotom-H's Overheat and Indeedee's Expanding Force. In addition, Blissey can set Stealth Rock for Heliolisk, allowing it to break past Pokemon such as Keldeo and Togekiss more easily. Finally, it can also pivot with Teleport to bring in Heliolisk safely. Ditto is a great way to check faster Pokemon such as Dragon Dance Dragapult and Cinderace. Braviary is an important teammate when Heliolisk is not using Heavy-Duty Boots, as it can clear hazards off the field, which is crucial for Heliolisk due to its weakness to Toxic Spikes and Sticky Web. This is especially important against Water teams. Diggersby, Bewear, and Obstagoon can break through special walls for Heliolisk such as Chansey, Ferrothorn, Celebi, and Tyranitar. Diggersby can also take on Fire- and Poison-type Pokemon such as Torkoal, Incineroar, and Salazzle. Obstagoon can help Heliolisk in the Psychic- and Ghost-type matchups by taking on Pokemon such as Mew and Alolan Marowak. Bewear is the best check to threats such as Urshifu-S, as Fluffy alongside a Chople Berry can make that matchup manageable. In return, Heliolisk can slow down faster Pokemon such as Hydreigon with Glare for them.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Normal analysis by: [[maroon, 305839]]
- Quality checked by: [[Decem, 362454], [Harpp, 320110]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Milak, 262594]]
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