OU Substitute + Disable Dragapult

[talah]

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Hex
move 4: Disable
item: Leftovers
ability: Infiltrator / Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 96 HP / 16 Def / 184 SpA / 212 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute + Disable Dragapult is a unique take on an otherwise much more offensively oriented Pokemon; unlike all-out attacker sets, which fire off strong hits immediately upon hitting the field, this set aims to slowly break teams through careful usage of Will-O-Wisp, Hex, and Disable. Dragapult's best opportunities to set up Substitute are on forced switches due to the opponent assuming Dragapult is Choice Specs and when against passive Pokemon that can't break it such as Toxapex. After using Substitute, Dragapult has free rein to spread burns and use its very powerful Hex on statused targets, rendering foes that can traditionally pivot into it like Corviknight, Gastrodon, and Toxapex helpless to stop it. Disable makes this strategy even harder to put a stop to, since most defensive Pokemon can break Dragapult's Substitute through only one move, with Ferrothorn's Gyro Ball and defensive Clefable's Moonblast being premier examples. By using Disable on those moves, Dragapult can freely set up another Substitute without it being broken, leaving it with free turns. Another use of Disable is using it against Choice item foes, which prevents them from damaging Dragapult. Be aware, however, that Disable doesn't affect Dynamaxed Pokemon; therefore, you need to be careful when leaving Dragapult exposed if that is available for your opponent. Keep in mind that your opponent will react different once they know which set Dragapult is using, so you will need to make adjustments to your style of play once the set is revealed. The given spread lets Dragapult's Substitutes survive Life Orb Clefable's Flamethrower and Thunderbolt, so you can set up on it by using Disable on Moonblast, as well as burned Corviknight's Brave Bird while outspeeding Choice Scarf Dracovish. Another tip for using this set is knowing that your opponents will react differently before and after knowing the set, so you will need to make adjustments to using it once revealing it. Finally, Infiltrator allows Dragapult to annoy Pokemon like Corviknight through their Substitutes, while Clear Body is better against Ditto should it switch in as you use Substitute on top of making Dragapult's matchup against Sticky Web teams better.

Toxapex makes for one of the best partners this set can hope for, since it can use Toxic Spikes and Toxic to spread status and boost Dragapult's effectiveness. Teammates with immediate offensive pressure like Clefable and Galarian Darmanitan can really aid Dragapult by dealing heavy damage to foes before Dragapult starts cleaning up. They are also able to threaten Mandibuzz, which is the biggest threat to this set; it doesn't care about Hex damage thanks to Roost, can break Dragapult's Substitute with Foul Play, and can use U-turn to bring its teammates in safely. Defog Corviknight is another good partner for Substitute Dragapult, being able to use Defog to get rid of entry hazards for Dragapult to switch into more often or bringing it in for free through U-turn. Bulk Up Corviknight also appreciates Dragapult burning foes like Toxapex, Mandibuzz, and opposing Corviknight, allowing it to stall foes out with Pressure with more ease. Lastly, late-game cleaners like Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan and Dragon Dance Gyarados enjoy Dragapult's ability to weaken opposing teams, which makes their work easier.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[talah, 248449]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [Mannat, 144451], [TDK, 185591]]
- Grammar checked by: [Rabia, 336073]]

 

[Jordy]

comments in purple things to remove in red

[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Hex
move 4: Disable
item: Leftovers
ability: Infiltrator / Cursed Body
nature: Timid
evs: 80 HP / 208 SpA / 8 SpD / 212 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute Disable Dragapult is a unique take on an otherwise much more offensively oriented Pokemon; unlike all-out attacker sets, which fire off strong hits immediately upon hitting the field, this set aims to slowly break teams through careful usage of Will-O-Wisp, Hex, and Disable. By setting up a Substitute on a passive mon like Toxapex or on a forced switch, Dragapult has free reign to spread burns and use its very powerful Hex on statused targets, rendering foes that can traditionally pivot into it, like Corviknight, Gastrodon, and the aforementioned Toxapex, helpless to stop it. Disable makes this strategy even harder to put a stop to, since most defensive Pokemon can break Dragapult's Substitute through only one move; Ferrothorn's Gyro Ball and Utility Clefable's Moonblast being premier examples. By using Disable on those moves, Dragapult can freely set up another Substitute without it being broken, leaving it with free turns. Another use of Disable is against Choice-locked opponents, since by Disabling the move they are locked into, they are no longer able to touch you. Be aware, however, that Disable doesn't affect Dynamax, and therefore you need to be careful when leaving yourself exposed if that is available for your opponent. The given spread lets Dragapult's Substitutes survive Life Orb Clefable's Flamethrower and Thunderbolt, so you can set up on it by disabling Moonblast, while outspeeding Scarf Dracovish. Another tip for using this set is knowing that your opponents will react differently before and after knowing the set, so you will need to make adjustments to using it once revealing it. Talk about Infiltrator vs Cursed Body here.

Toxapex makes for one of the best partners this set can hope for, since it can use Toxic Spikes and Toxic to spread status and boost Dragapult's effectiveness. Teammates with immediate offensive pressure, like Clefable and Galarian Darmanitan, can really aid Dragapult by dealing heavy damage to opponents before Dragapult sets up, so it has an easier time cleaning up. The term "sets up" is usually associated with setup moves such as Dragon Dance, so I'd rather see another way of phrasing it here. Defog Corviknight is another really good partner for Substitute Dragapult, being able to use Defog to get rid of entry hazards for Dragapult to switch into more often, or bringing it in for free through U-turn. Bulk Up Corviknight also appreciates Dragapult burning foes like Toxapex, Mandibuzz, and opposing Corviknight, allowing it to stall opponents out with Pressure with more ease.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[talah, 248449]]
- Quality checked by: [[username1, userid1], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

Great job, 1/2,

 

[XxbraedonxX]

The term "sets up" is usually associated with setup moves such as Dragon Dance, so I'd rather see another way of phrasing it here.

I'm gonna agree with that, but also say that Substitute is in that group as well. "Sets up a sub" is a fairly common phrase. I'd suggest just adding "a sub" to that phrase

 

[MANNAT]

I'd mention how late-game cleaners like Scarf Darm and DD Gyara appreciate Dragapult's ability to punch holes in opposing teams, but it's not necessary. This is honestly fantastically written and covers all the bases you need here QC 2/2

 

[kumiko]

@ the ev spread is definitely not the best thing, 88/0 does the same thing as 80/8 (albeit it gives you more bulk but you hit the benchmark either way), but also I would run 16 Defense EVs. This lets your Substitute survive a Burned Corviknight Brave Bird. so: EVs: 88 HP / 16 Def / 192 SpA / 212 Spe with Timid. Something also worth considering to mention is EVing for Scarf Darm U-turn to never break Substitute, but that'd take a lot of investment and not really sure it's worth it.

also would prob reword the Substitute details in the description. The main way Dragapult initially gets its sub up is cuz it forces out mons expecting you to be Specs or to immediately pressure it, so I would maybe mention that first rather than Subbing on passive mons.

I wouldn't mention Cursed Body at all on this set, as you can't trigger Cursed Body while attacking a Substitute (meaning if Dragapult is behind a Sub, it will not activate its Cursed Body). If you want to be Ditto-proof, use Clear Body, which can help should you face Webs. I would also mention in the partners section that you should focus on nailing Mandibuzz with your teammates, as that's the biggest annoyance to this set. Burns don't mean too much because Mandibuzz pretty much still walls this set on its own.

 

[GMars]

@ the ev spread is definitely not the best thing, 88/0 does the same thing as 80/8 (albeit it gives you more bulk but you hit the benchmark either way), but also I would run 16 Defense EVs. This lets your Substitute survive a Burned Corviknight Brave Bird. so: EVs: 88 HP / 16 Def / 192 SpA / 212 Spe with Timid. Something also worth considering to mention is EVing for Scarf Darm U-turn to never break Substitute, but that'd take a lot of investment and not really sure it's worth it.

also would prob reword the Substitute details in the description. The main way Dragapult initially gets its sub up is cuz it forces out mons expecting you to be Specs or to immediately pressure it, so I would maybe mention that first rather than Subbing on passive mons.

I wouldn't mention Cursed Body at all on this set, as you can't trigger Cursed Body while attacking a Substitute (meaning if Dragapult is behind a Sub, it will not activate its Cursed Body). If you want to be Ditto-proof, use Clear Body, which can help should you face Webs. I would also mention in the partners section that you should focus on nailing Mandibuzz with your teammates, as that's the biggest annoyance to this set. Burns don't mean too much because Mandibuzz pretty much still walls this set on its own.

88 hp evs doesn’t increase sub hp, you still sub at 84 and max hit of LO clef flamethrower/tbolt is 84 without the 8 spdef investment

 

[TURBODERP]

Is outspeeding Scarf Dracovish super important? I get that it's to be able to burn it with Wisp/get chip with Hex in a pinch, but are there lower benchmarks that would be good enough on teams with another Dracovish check? Timid with 0 Speed still outspeeds Gengar (by 2 points), while +1 Jolly Tyranitar is another benchmark that can be reached with sub 200 Speed investment and a Timid nature.

 

[kumiko]

Is outspeeding Scarf Dracovish super important? I get that it's to be able to burn it with Wisp/get chip with Hex in a pinch, but are there lower benchmarks that would be good enough on teams with another Dracovish check? Timid with 0 Speed still outspeeds Gengar (by 2 points), while +1 Jolly Tyranitar is another benchmark that can be reached with sub 200 Speed investment and a Timid nature.

Yes. Scarf is the most common set and there's not really a good reason to make it slower.

 

[Rabia]

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[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Substitute
move 2: Will-O-Wisp
move 3: Hex
move 4: Disable
item: Leftovers
ability: Infiltrator / Clear Body
nature: Timid
evs: 96 HP / 16 Def / 184 SpA / 212 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
Substitute + Disable Dragapult is a unique take on an otherwise much more offensively oriented Pokemon; unlike all-out attacker sets, which fire off strong hits immediately upon hitting the field, this set aims to slowly break teams through careful usage of Will-O-Wisp, Hex, and Disable. Dragapult's best ways of setting opportunities to set up Substitute are either on a forced switch against an opponent assuming you're using Choice Specs, or on forced switches due to the opponent assuming Dragapult is Choice Specs and when against (the wording was kinda awkward here because you set the sub up against a foe (a pokemon) not on an opponent) a passive Pokemon that can't break it such as Toxapex. After using Substitute, Dragapult has free reign rein to spread burns and use its very powerful Hex on statused targets, rendering foes that can traditionally pivot into it,(RC) like Corviknight, Gastrodon, and the aforementioned Toxapex,(RC) helpless to stop it. Disable makes this strategy even harder to put a stop to, since most defensive Pokemon can break Dragapult's Substitute through only one move,(semicolon -> comma) with Ferrothorn's Gyro Ball and Utility defensive (clearer as to what you're referring without the reader needing to now look at Clefable's dex entry) Clefable's Moonblast being premier examples. By using Disable on those moves, Dragapult can freely set up another Substitute without it being broken, leaving it with free turns. Another use of Disable is against Choice-locked opponents, since by Disabling the move they are locked into, they are no longer able to touch you using it against Choice item foes, which prevents them from damaging Dragapult.(wording was kinda excessive + using Disable as a verb is iffy) Be aware, however, that Disable doesn't affect Dynamax Dynamaxed Pokemon;(comma -> semicolon) and therefore,(AC) you need to be careful when leaving yourself Dragapult exposed if that is available for your opponent. Your opponent will react different once they know which set Dragapult is using, so you will need to make adjustments to your style of play once the set is revealed. The given spread lets Dragapult's Substitutes survive Life Orb Clefable's Flamethrower and Thunderbolt, so you can set up on it by disabling using Disable on Moonblast, as well as burned Corviknight's Brave Bird,(RC) while outspeeding Choice Scarf Dracovish. Another tip for using this set is knowing that your opponents will react differently before and after knowing the set, so you will need to make adjustments to using it once revealing it.(gonna put this with the other usage tips) Finally, Infiltrator allows Dragapult to annoy Pokemon like Corviknight through their Substitutes, while Clear Body is better against Ditto should it switch in as you use Substitute,(RC) on top of making Dragapult's matchup against Sticky Web teams better.

Toxapex makes for one of the best partners this set can hope for, since it can use Toxic Spikes and Toxic to spread status and boost Dragapult's effectiveness. Teammates with immediate offensive pressure,(RC) like Clefable and Galarian Darmanitan,(RC) can really aid Dragapult by dealing heavy damage to opponents foes before Dragapult gets going, so it has an easier time starts cleaning up. They are also able to threaten Mandibuzz, which is the biggest threat to this set; it doesn't care about Hex damage thanks to Roost, can break Dragapult's Substitute with Foul Play, and can use U-turn to bring its teammates in safely. Defog Corviknight is another good partner for Substitute Dragapult, being able to use Defog to get rid of entry hazards for Dragapult to switch into more often,(RC) or bringing it in for free through U-turn. Bulk Up Corviknight also appreciates Dragapult burning foes like Toxapex, Mandibuzz, and opposing Corviknight, allowing it to stall opponents foes out with Pressure with more ease. Lastly, late-game cleaners like Choice Scarf Galarian Darmanitan and Dragon Dance Gyarados enjoy Dragapult's ability to weaken opposing teams, which makes their work easier.

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[talah, 248449]]
- Quality checked by: [[Jordy, 395754], [Mannat, 144451], [TDK, 185591]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]

gp 1/1 once done