Surgeon
venice bitch
[OVERVIEW]
Swampert is a very sturdy physically defensive Pokemon thanks to its great typing and bulk, which allows it to match up well against a lot of common Pokemon in the metagame like Mega Aerodactyl, Cobalion, and Bisharp. Its typing also gives it a resistance to Stealth Rock, which in combination with Leftovers further boosts its sustainability and gives it the opportunity to switch in often and set up Stealth Rock or whittle down the opposing team with Toxic. Swampert's edge over the other defensive Ground-types in the tier lies in its decent offensive stats and access to Scald, allowing it to threaten common Ground-immune Pokemon like Rotom-H and Moltres more easily as well as giving it the ability to run a fully offensive set. Access to moves like Roar can also prove to be a nuisance for Pokemon like Scizor and Dragon Dance Mega Altaria that could try to take advantage of Swampert. However, Swampert has a hard time checking the Pokemon it's supposed to like Zeraora, Infernape, and Nihilego, as they usually carry Grass-type coverage. Swampert also lacks any form of reliable recovery, which means that it's prone to being worn down if not used carefully. These aforementioned traits mean that Swampert faces heavy competition from Hippowdon and Gligar, which have access to reliable recovery and don't have to face the constraints of the Water typing, so they're much more consistent answers to the aforementioned threats.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is used to hit Ground-immune Pokemon like Rotom-H and Moltres while also potentially crippling Pokemon like Scizor and Kommo-o with a burn. Toxic cripples Pokemon that would otherwise wall Swampert like Hydreigon, Chesnaught, and Latias. However, Roar can prevent Pokemon like Kommo-o and Nasty Plot Togekiss from using it as setup fodder.
Set Details
========
Swampert can be worn down very quickly due to the lack of reliable recovery, so Leftovers is the best item it can run. Torrent allows Swampert to benefit from being worn down by boosting the power of its Scald once it's at a low HP. Physically defensive investment is chosen over investment in Special Defense because Swampert would still be unable to check most special wallbreakers anyway.
Usage Tips
========
The most important thing to note when using Swampert is that it lacks any form of reliable recovery. This means that it must be used much more carefully than Pokemon like Hippowdon and Gligar, since it can be easily overwhelmed. It's advised not to switch Swampert into every possible attack, even if it's capable of tanking it, as that would prevent it from effectively checking what it's supposed to. It should also avoid switching into a potential Toxic or Knock Off from Pokemon like Empoleon and Tentacruel for the same reason, as it relies on Leftovers to be healthy. Only switch into Pokemon that Swampert can comfortably check like Mega Aerodactyl and Rotom-H and attempt to set up Stealth Rock or weaken the opposing team with its other attacks. It should beware of status from Rotom-H, however. If Swampert's health starts getting very low, proactive play is recommended in order to get it on the field as often as possible and rack up Leftovers recovery. Be wary of Grass-type coverage from Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Nihilego whenever attempting to switch into them, as they can easily dent Swampert or outright OHKO it.
Team Options
========
Swampert fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate its ability to check a lot of Pokemon in the tier and keep Stealth Rock up against common entry hazard removers like Rotom-H and Empoleon. Pokemon that can sponge Grass-type attacks like Hydreigon, Moltres, Kommo-o, and Amoonguss make the best partners for Swampert, as those are the main way to defeat it. Kommo-o is a particularly good teammate, since it can use Overcoat to block Amoonguss's Spore, which would otherwise be able to easily switch into Swampert and cripple a member of its team. Wish support from Pokemon like Blissey and Sylveon helps Swampert by increasing its longevity, as it's prone to being worn down. Cleric support is equally appreciated, since status ailments can negate Leftovers recovery and wear it down over time. Thus, Pokemon like Togekiss, Blissey, and Florges pair well with Swampert. Fairy-types like the aforementioned Florges and Togekiss can also provide a switch-in to Dragon-type Pokemon like Latias, Mega Sceptile, and Hydreigon, which can easily switch into Swampert and threaten it with their powerful STAB attacks. In return, Swampert does a good job at keeping most Steel-types like Mega Aggron and Empoleon in check. Spikes and Toxic Spikes are another way to hurt Swampert's durability, so entry hazard removers like Tentacruel and Rotom-H are very good teammates as well. Pokemon that appreciate Stealth Rock being set such as Terrakion and Lucario also pair well with Swampert.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Punch
move 4: Toxic / Superpower
item: Choice Band
ability: Torrent
nature: Adamant
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Ice Punch is used to hit Pokemon that would otherwise wall this set completely, such as Hydreigon, Latias, Celebi, and Rotom-C. Toxic allows Swampert to cripple Pokemon that it's unable to 2HKO like Alomomola and Slowbro, as the residual damage is usually enough to put them in range of a Choice Band-boosted Earthquake, but Superpower could also be used in the last slot, allowing Swampert to OHKO Pokemon like Blissey and Hydreigon. Superpower is also helpful for hitting some Earthquake targets like Empoleon and Cobalion, easing prediction.
Set Details
========
The given spread allows Swampert to outspeed Modest Primarina and uninvested Scizor, meaning it can hit them before they attack it or switch out with U-turn. Since Swampert is prone to being worn down, Torrent is the preferred ability, since it boosts the power of its Waterfall once it's at a low amount of health.
Usage Tips
========
The difference between Choice Band Swampert and the other offensive Ground-types is that it has a lot more opportunities to come in and fire off attacks thanks to its amazing defensive typing and bulk, so that must be used to its advantage by bringing it in often, especially against Pokemon that it can naturally check like Rotom-H and Mega Aggron. Making aggressive predictions is advised, since the idea behind this set is to take advantage of the surprise factor and take advantage of Pokemon that would normally attempt to take on the defensive set like Amoonguss and Primarina. Furthermore, Choice Band forces Swampert to lock itself into one move, so not making the necessary predictions can cause a big loss of momentum. Ice Punch should be the primary move used early-game, because it hits most of Swampert's conventional checks like Hydreigon and Celebi for a lot of damage, whereas Toxic is only meant to be used on Pokemon that Swampert isn't capable of breaking through, such as Alomomola and Chesnaught. Avoid using it in any other circumstances, however, since Swampert can be taken advantage of once it's locked into it. Once it has weakened its own checks, Swampert is free to start utilizing its powerful Choice Band-boosted STAB attacks, weakening the opposing team even further and making room for a cleaner to come in later on and sweep. It should be noted that Choice Band Swampert isn't as durable as the defensive set, as it doesn't have the same defensive investment or Leftovers recovery, meaning that it should be played more carefully, especially against threats like Terrakion and Scizor.
Team Options
========
Choice Band Swampert finds itself most comfortable on offensive teams that appreciate its ability to break through the opposing team and provide an immunity to Volt Switch. Swampert can easily punch holes in teams and break through defensive cores, so cleaners that can make use of that like Double Dance Cobalion and Dragon Dance Kommo-o are very good partners for it. Pokemon that can check Grass-types such as Hydreigon and Gengar also pair well with Swampert, as it's threatened by them a lot. Swampert is a relatively bulky Pokemon, but it shouldn't be used as the main check to Pokemon like Terrakion and Cobalion due to the lack of defensive investment. Thus, adequate checks to those Pokemon like Doublade, Latias, and Moltres make good teammates. Entry hazard setters like Terrakion, Nihilego, and Klefki can slightly improve Swampert's wallbreaking capabilities by ensuring a 2HKO or an OHKO on certain Pokemon. It has a good chance to OHKO Hydreigon with Ice Punch if Stealth Rock is on the field, for example. Additionally, Klefki can also cripple the opposing team with Thunder Wave, alleviating the effects of Swampert's low Speed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normalium Z can be used with Refresh in order to provide Swampert with a one-time recovery to full HP. Refresh can also come in handy to cure Swampert of any status conditions. However, it has a very big opportunity cost because it means no other Pokemon on the team can use a Z-Crystal, and the passive recovery provided by Leftovers is usually more useful in the long run anyway. Counter is a viable option on the defensive set, allowing Swampert to punish U-turn users like Scizor and Mega Beedrill, but it's very team dependent and has much more limited uses than Toxic or Roar. Similarly, Mirror Coat can be used to punish special wallbreakers like Latias and Choice Specs Primarina that would normally attempt to take advantage of Swampert's low Special Defense stat, but it faces the same issues as Counter. Protect is another move that could be used in the last slot of the defensive set, providing Swampert with more turns of Leftovers recovery and the ability to scout for Choice-locked Pokemon like Hydreigon and Primarina. However, this leaves Swampert completely walled by many setup sweepers and other common threats such as Latias and Mega Altaria, making it a very suboptimal option.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types and Grass-type Coverage**: Grass-types such as Celebi, Amoonguss, Tsareena, and Rotom-C can easily switch into any of Swampert's moves and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB attacks. Tsareena and Rotom-C can also attempt to remove Swampert's Stealth Rock from the field. Additionally, Pokemon that usually carry Grass-type moves such as Zeraora, Infernape, and Nihilego can heavily pressure Swampert, but they can't switch in.
**Dragon-types**: Pokemon like Hydreigon and Latias can easily switch into Swampert, only having to fear Toxic or a Choice Band-boosted Ice Punch, and can threaten it with a powerful Draco Meteor. They can also use Defog to remove Swampert's Stealth Rock from the field. Kyurem is another Dragon-type that can easily switch in and fire off powerful attacks, but it dislikes being hit by Toxic.
**Status**: Swampert relies on Leftovers to be healthy, and status ailments like poison and burn can nullify that passive recovery that it provides and make it even more prone to being worn down than it already is.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Due to its low Special Defense stat, Pokemon like Primarina, Kommo-o, and Mega Blastoise can heavily threaten Swampert with their strong special attacks. Kommo-o can also prevent Swampert from setting up Stealth Rock with Taunt.
**Bulky Water-types**: CroCune is the best counter for Swampert, as it can easily switch into any of its attacks and use Rest to escape from Toxic damage. RestTalk Primarina can easily switch into any attacks from the defensive set and threaten Swampert with a potential Scald burn, while bulky Starmie can cure itself from Toxic with Natural Cure and remove Swampert's Stealth Rock from the field with Rapid Spin. However, they can be caught off guard by the Choice Band set, which can 2HKO or OHKO them with Earthquake. On the other hand, Pokemon like Slowbro and Alomomola can switch into the Choice Band set's attacks, but they have to fear being hit by Toxic.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Surgeon, 347604]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [Nuked, 382658], [martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
Swampert is a very sturdy physically defensive Pokemon thanks to its great typing and bulk, which allows it to match up well against a lot of common Pokemon in the metagame like Mega Aerodactyl, Cobalion, and Bisharp. Its typing also gives it a resistance to Stealth Rock, which in combination with Leftovers further boosts its sustainability and gives it the opportunity to switch in often and set up Stealth Rock or whittle down the opposing team with Toxic. Swampert's edge over the other defensive Ground-types in the tier lies in its decent offensive stats and access to Scald, allowing it to threaten common Ground-immune Pokemon like Rotom-H and Moltres more easily as well as giving it the ability to run a fully offensive set. Access to moves like Roar can also prove to be a nuisance for Pokemon like Scizor and Dragon Dance Mega Altaria that could try to take advantage of Swampert. However, Swampert has a hard time checking the Pokemon it's supposed to like Zeraora, Infernape, and Nihilego, as they usually carry Grass-type coverage. Swampert also lacks any form of reliable recovery, which means that it's prone to being worn down if not used carefully. These aforementioned traits mean that Swampert faces heavy competition from Hippowdon and Gligar, which have access to reliable recovery and don't have to face the constraints of the Water typing, so they're much more consistent answers to the aforementioned threats.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Scald
move 4: Toxic / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is used to hit Ground-immune Pokemon like Rotom-H and Moltres while also potentially crippling Pokemon like Scizor and Kommo-o with a burn. Toxic cripples Pokemon that would otherwise wall Swampert like Hydreigon, Chesnaught, and Latias. However, Roar can prevent Pokemon like Kommo-o and Nasty Plot Togekiss from using it as setup fodder.
Set Details
========
Swampert can be worn down very quickly due to the lack of reliable recovery, so Leftovers is the best item it can run. Torrent allows Swampert to benefit from being worn down by boosting the power of its Scald once it's at a low HP. Physically defensive investment is chosen over investment in Special Defense because Swampert would still be unable to check most special wallbreakers anyway.
Usage Tips
========
The most important thing to note when using Swampert is that it lacks any form of reliable recovery. This means that it must be used much more carefully than Pokemon like Hippowdon and Gligar, since it can be easily overwhelmed. It's advised not to switch Swampert into every possible attack, even if it's capable of tanking it, as that would prevent it from effectively checking what it's supposed to. It should also avoid switching into a potential Toxic or Knock Off from Pokemon like Empoleon and Tentacruel for the same reason, as it relies on Leftovers to be healthy. Only switch into Pokemon that Swampert can comfortably check like Mega Aerodactyl and Rotom-H and attempt to set up Stealth Rock or weaken the opposing team with its other attacks. It should beware of status from Rotom-H, however. If Swampert's health starts getting very low, proactive play is recommended in order to get it on the field as often as possible and rack up Leftovers recovery. Be wary of Grass-type coverage from Pokemon like Mega Manectric and Nihilego whenever attempting to switch into them, as they can easily dent Swampert or outright OHKO it.
Team Options
========
Swampert fits best on bulky offense and balance teams that appreciate its ability to check a lot of Pokemon in the tier and keep Stealth Rock up against common entry hazard removers like Rotom-H and Empoleon. Pokemon that can sponge Grass-type attacks like Hydreigon, Moltres, Kommo-o, and Amoonguss make the best partners for Swampert, as those are the main way to defeat it. Kommo-o is a particularly good teammate, since it can use Overcoat to block Amoonguss's Spore, which would otherwise be able to easily switch into Swampert and cripple a member of its team. Wish support from Pokemon like Blissey and Sylveon helps Swampert by increasing its longevity, as it's prone to being worn down. Cleric support is equally appreciated, since status ailments can negate Leftovers recovery and wear it down over time. Thus, Pokemon like Togekiss, Blissey, and Florges pair well with Swampert. Fairy-types like the aforementioned Florges and Togekiss can also provide a switch-in to Dragon-type Pokemon like Latias, Mega Sceptile, and Hydreigon, which can easily switch into Swampert and threaten it with their powerful STAB attacks. In return, Swampert does a good job at keeping most Steel-types like Mega Aggron and Empoleon in check. Spikes and Toxic Spikes are another way to hurt Swampert's durability, so entry hazard removers like Tentacruel and Rotom-H are very good teammates as well. Pokemon that appreciate Stealth Rock being set such as Terrakion and Lucario also pair well with Swampert.
[SET]
name: Choice Band
move 1: Earthquake
move 2: Waterfall
move 3: Ice Punch
move 4: Toxic / Superpower
item: Choice Band
ability: Torrent
nature: Adamant
evs: 88 HP / 252 Atk / 168 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Ice Punch is used to hit Pokemon that would otherwise wall this set completely, such as Hydreigon, Latias, Celebi, and Rotom-C. Toxic allows Swampert to cripple Pokemon that it's unable to 2HKO like Alomomola and Slowbro, as the residual damage is usually enough to put them in range of a Choice Band-boosted Earthquake, but Superpower could also be used in the last slot, allowing Swampert to OHKO Pokemon like Blissey and Hydreigon. Superpower is also helpful for hitting some Earthquake targets like Empoleon and Cobalion, easing prediction.
Set Details
========
The given spread allows Swampert to outspeed Modest Primarina and uninvested Scizor, meaning it can hit them before they attack it or switch out with U-turn. Since Swampert is prone to being worn down, Torrent is the preferred ability, since it boosts the power of its Waterfall once it's at a low amount of health.
Usage Tips
========
The difference between Choice Band Swampert and the other offensive Ground-types is that it has a lot more opportunities to come in and fire off attacks thanks to its amazing defensive typing and bulk, so that must be used to its advantage by bringing it in often, especially against Pokemon that it can naturally check like Rotom-H and Mega Aggron. Making aggressive predictions is advised, since the idea behind this set is to take advantage of the surprise factor and take advantage of Pokemon that would normally attempt to take on the defensive set like Amoonguss and Primarina. Furthermore, Choice Band forces Swampert to lock itself into one move, so not making the necessary predictions can cause a big loss of momentum. Ice Punch should be the primary move used early-game, because it hits most of Swampert's conventional checks like Hydreigon and Celebi for a lot of damage, whereas Toxic is only meant to be used on Pokemon that Swampert isn't capable of breaking through, such as Alomomola and Chesnaught. Avoid using it in any other circumstances, however, since Swampert can be taken advantage of once it's locked into it. Once it has weakened its own checks, Swampert is free to start utilizing its powerful Choice Band-boosted STAB attacks, weakening the opposing team even further and making room for a cleaner to come in later on and sweep. It should be noted that Choice Band Swampert isn't as durable as the defensive set, as it doesn't have the same defensive investment or Leftovers recovery, meaning that it should be played more carefully, especially against threats like Terrakion and Scizor.
Team Options
========
Choice Band Swampert finds itself most comfortable on offensive teams that appreciate its ability to break through the opposing team and provide an immunity to Volt Switch. Swampert can easily punch holes in teams and break through defensive cores, so cleaners that can make use of that like Double Dance Cobalion and Dragon Dance Kommo-o are very good partners for it. Pokemon that can check Grass-types such as Hydreigon and Gengar also pair well with Swampert, as it's threatened by them a lot. Swampert is a relatively bulky Pokemon, but it shouldn't be used as the main check to Pokemon like Terrakion and Cobalion due to the lack of defensive investment. Thus, adequate checks to those Pokemon like Doublade, Latias, and Moltres make good teammates. Entry hazard setters like Terrakion, Nihilego, and Klefki can slightly improve Swampert's wallbreaking capabilities by ensuring a 2HKO or an OHKO on certain Pokemon. It has a good chance to OHKO Hydreigon with Ice Punch if Stealth Rock is on the field, for example. Additionally, Klefki can also cripple the opposing team with Thunder Wave, alleviating the effects of Swampert's low Speed.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Normalium Z can be used with Refresh in order to provide Swampert with a one-time recovery to full HP. Refresh can also come in handy to cure Swampert of any status conditions. However, it has a very big opportunity cost because it means no other Pokemon on the team can use a Z-Crystal, and the passive recovery provided by Leftovers is usually more useful in the long run anyway. Counter is a viable option on the defensive set, allowing Swampert to punish U-turn users like Scizor and Mega Beedrill, but it's very team dependent and has much more limited uses than Toxic or Roar. Similarly, Mirror Coat can be used to punish special wallbreakers like Latias and Choice Specs Primarina that would normally attempt to take advantage of Swampert's low Special Defense stat, but it faces the same issues as Counter. Protect is another move that could be used in the last slot of the defensive set, providing Swampert with more turns of Leftovers recovery and the ability to scout for Choice-locked Pokemon like Hydreigon and Primarina. However, this leaves Swampert completely walled by many setup sweepers and other common threats such as Latias and Mega Altaria, making it a very suboptimal option.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types and Grass-type Coverage**: Grass-types such as Celebi, Amoonguss, Tsareena, and Rotom-C can easily switch into any of Swampert's moves and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB attacks. Tsareena and Rotom-C can also attempt to remove Swampert's Stealth Rock from the field. Additionally, Pokemon that usually carry Grass-type moves such as Zeraora, Infernape, and Nihilego can heavily pressure Swampert, but they can't switch in.
**Dragon-types**: Pokemon like Hydreigon and Latias can easily switch into Swampert, only having to fear Toxic or a Choice Band-boosted Ice Punch, and can threaten it with a powerful Draco Meteor. They can also use Defog to remove Swampert's Stealth Rock from the field. Kyurem is another Dragon-type that can easily switch in and fire off powerful attacks, but it dislikes being hit by Toxic.
**Status**: Swampert relies on Leftovers to be healthy, and status ailments like poison and burn can nullify that passive recovery that it provides and make it even more prone to being worn down than it already is.
**Special Wallbreakers**: Due to its low Special Defense stat, Pokemon like Primarina, Kommo-o, and Mega Blastoise can heavily threaten Swampert with their strong special attacks. Kommo-o can also prevent Swampert from setting up Stealth Rock with Taunt.
**Bulky Water-types**: CroCune is the best counter for Swampert, as it can easily switch into any of its attacks and use Rest to escape from Toxic damage. RestTalk Primarina can easily switch into any attacks from the defensive set and threaten Swampert with a potential Scald burn, while bulky Starmie can cure itself from Toxic with Natural Cure and remove Swampert's Stealth Rock from the field with Rapid Spin. However, they can be caught off guard by the Choice Band set, which can 2HKO or OHKO them with Earthquake. On the other hand, Pokemon like Slowbro and Alomomola can switch into the Choice Band set's attacks, but they have to fear being hit by Toxic.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Surgeon, 347604]]
- Quality checked by: [[Hilomilo, 313384], [Nuked, 382658], [martha, 384270]]
- Grammar checked by: [[The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216], [martha, 384270]]
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