[OVERVIEW]
Swampert is an excellent wall. Its great defensive typing gives it resistances and immunities to Fire-, Poison-, and Electric-type attacks from the likes of Infernape, Alolan Muk, and Iron Thorns, and it threatens them with Earthquake. While there is some competition for the Water-type slot on teams, Swampert is unique in its ability to simultaneously threaten Electric-types and pivot out with Flip Turn, often slowly enough to bring its teammate in completely safely. On top of this, Swampert also has access to Knock Off, which is valuable utility to cripple item-reliant Pokemon like Talonflame, Avalugg, and Registeel, and Roar, which allows Swampert to challenge setup sweepers like Cresselia and Oricorio-E. However, its limited recovery options make Swampert vulnerable to being worn down over the course of a battle, meaning it won't be able to check these aforementioned setup sweepers long-term. Swampert's 4x weakness to Grass-type attacks also hampers it, as it struggles against common Grass-types like Tsareena, Breloom, and Brambleghast. On top of this, many Pokemon like Chandelure, Gallade, and Iron Thorns carry some way to surprise Swampert with Grass-type coverage, whether that be Energy Ball, Leaf Blade, or Tera Blast Grass.
[SET]
name: Utility Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Flip Turn
move 4: Knock Off / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Impish / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def or 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
tera type: Fairy / Poison / Dragon / Steel
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Flip Turn allows Swampert to pivot out and bring in teammates to make progress. Knock Off supplies utility against foes that Swampert cannot hit well with its STAB moves, and it cripples item-reliant foes like Munkidori, Talonflame, and Avalugg. However, Roar prevents Swampert's passivity from getting taken advantage of by stopping setup sweepers like Oricorio-E and Paldean Tauros-W. The physically defensive EV spread is better into attackers like Flygon and Mienshao, but a specially defensive one assists against Electric-types like Rotom-H and Raikou. Tera Poison turns Swampert's 4x weakness to Grass-type attacks into a resistance and helps it more easily take on the myriad of Fighting-types like Mienshao, Infernape, and Breloom. Tera Fairy makes Swampert immune to Dragon-type attacks from threats like Dragalge and resistant to Dark- and Fighting-type attacks from foes such as Brute Bonnet and Mienshao while allowing it to continue checking Ground-types like Flygon. Tera Dragon gives Swampert resistances to Water-, Fire-, and Grass-type attacks, making it strong against common attackers like Basculegion-M, Incineroar, and Breloom. Tera Steel gives Swampert a wide array of resistances to more easily handle special attackers like Dragalge and Sylveon.
Swampert benefits from the support of Grass-resistant teammates like Dragalge, Talonflame, and Incineroar, covering its biggest weakness. Swampert's Stealth Rock can be supplemented by Grass-resistant Spikes users like Klefki and Brambleghast to stack entry hazards, both of which also benefit from Swampert's Fire resistance. Ghost-type teammates like Brambleghast and Chandelure can also support Swampert's Stealth Rock by preventing Rapid Spin from opposing Tsareena and Avalugg. Knock Off users like Alolan Muk, Incineroar, and Mienshao can further support Swampert's entry hazards by removing items. While Swampert can take multiple hits, it lacks any reliable recovery, so pairing it with Wish passers like Sylveon and Florges or backup walls like Dragalge, Vileplume, Registeel, and Incineroar can be helpful. As Swampert lures in Grass-types like Tsareena and Vileplume, wallbreakers that can take advantage of Swampert's pivoting like Infernape, Dragalge, and Chandelure can threaten these foes and force others to switch in and take damage from Swampert's Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
More offensive sets like Choice Band or bulkier ones that utilize Assault Vest can work, but it's difficult to fit another entry hazard setter that doesn't add on to Swampert's Grass-type weakness. Swampert can run special attacks like Hydro Pump, Earth Power, and Ice Beam; however, if Swampert goes this route, it struggles to fit these moves and its great utility options on the same set, as it wants all of Knock Off, pivoting, hazards, STAB moves, and powerful coverage.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-types and Grass-type coverage**: Foes like Vileplume and Breloom can be immensely threatening. Grass-types with Rapid Spin like Brambleghast and Tsareena are particularly dangerous foes because they can chase Swampert out while removing Stealth Rock simultaneously. Pokemon with Grass-type coverage like Grass Knot Infernape, Energy Ball Chandelure, and Tera Blast Grass Iron Thorns can typically KO Swampert without warning from high health.
**Chip Damage**: Swampert lacks reliable recovery, so it is vulnerable to repeated damage from entry hazards, status ailments from Vileplume's Effect Spore and Talonflame's Flame Body, and repeated attacks from foes it is meant to check like Mienshao, Munkidori, and Hisuian Typhlosion. Knock Off users like Incineroar and Alolan Muk only exacerbate this issue with their ability to remove Swampert's Leftovers.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/stories.400664/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Swampert is an excellent wall. Its great defensive typing gives it resistances and immunities to Fire-, Poison-, and Electric-type attacks from the likes of Infernape, Alolan Muk, and Iron Thorns, and it threatens them with Earthquake. While there is some competition for the Water-type slot on teams, Swampert is unique in its ability to simultaneously threaten Electric-types and pivot out with Flip Turn, often slowly enough to bring its teammate in completely safely. On top of this, Swampert also has access to Knock Off, which is valuable utility to cripple item-reliant Pokemon like Talonflame, Avalugg, and Registeel, and Roar, which allows Swampert to challenge setup sweepers like Cresselia and Oricorio-E. However, its limited recovery options make Swampert vulnerable to being worn down over the course of a battle, meaning it won't be able to check these aforementioned setup sweepers long-term. Swampert's 4x weakness to Grass-type attacks also hampers it, as it struggles against common Grass-types like Tsareena, Breloom, and Brambleghast. On top of this, many Pokemon like Chandelure, Gallade, and Iron Thorns carry some way to surprise Swampert with Grass-type coverage, whether that be Energy Ball, Leaf Blade, or Tera Blast Grass.
[SET]
name: Utility Tank
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Flip Turn
move 4: Knock Off / Roar
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Impish / Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 Def or 252 HP / 4 Atk / 252 SpD
tera type: Fairy / Poison / Dragon / Steel
[SET COMMENTS]
Set Details
====
Flip Turn allows Swampert to pivot out and bring in teammates to make progress. Knock Off supplies utility against foes that Swampert cannot hit well with its STAB moves, and it cripples item-reliant foes like Munkidori, Talonflame, and Avalugg. However, Roar prevents Swampert's passivity from getting taken advantage of by stopping setup sweepers like Oricorio-E and Paldean Tauros-W. The physically defensive EV spread is better into attackers like Flygon and Mienshao, but a specially defensive one assists against Electric-types like Rotom-H and Raikou. Tera Poison turns Swampert's 4x weakness to Grass-type attacks into a resistance and helps it more easily take on the myriad of Fighting-types like Mienshao, Infernape, and Breloom. Tera Fairy makes Swampert immune to Dragon-type attacks from threats like Dragalge and resistant to Dark- and Fighting-type attacks from foes such as Brute Bonnet and Mienshao while allowing it to continue checking Ground-types like Flygon. Tera Dragon gives Swampert resistances to Water-, Fire-, and Grass-type attacks, making it strong against common attackers like Basculegion-M, Incineroar, and Breloom. Tera Steel gives Swampert a wide array of resistances to more easily handle special attackers like Dragalge and Sylveon.
Swampert benefits from the support of Grass-resistant teammates like Dragalge, Talonflame, and Incineroar, covering its biggest weakness. Swampert's Stealth Rock can be supplemented by Grass-resistant Spikes users like Klefki and Brambleghast to stack entry hazards, both of which also benefit from Swampert's Fire resistance. Ghost-type teammates like Brambleghast and Chandelure can also support Swampert's Stealth Rock by preventing Rapid Spin from opposing Tsareena and Avalugg. Knock Off users like Alolan Muk, Incineroar, and Mienshao can further support Swampert's entry hazards by removing items. While Swampert can take multiple hits, it lacks any reliable recovery, so pairing it with Wish passers like Sylveon and Florges or backup walls like Dragalge, Vileplume, Registeel, and Incineroar can be helpful. As Swampert lures in Grass-types like Tsareena and Vileplume, wallbreakers that can take advantage of Swampert's pivoting like Infernape, Dragalge, and Chandelure can threaten these foes and force others to switch in and take damage from Swampert's Stealth Rock.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
====
More offensive sets like Choice Band or bulkier ones that utilize Assault Vest can work, but it's difficult to fit another entry hazard setter that doesn't add on to Swampert's Grass-type weakness. Swampert can run special attacks like Hydro Pump, Earth Power, and Ice Beam; however, if Swampert goes this route, it struggles to fit these moves and its great utility options on the same set, as it wants all of Knock Off, pivoting, hazards, STAB moves, and powerful coverage.
Checks and Counters
====
**Grass-types and Grass-type coverage**: Foes like Vileplume and Breloom can be immensely threatening. Grass-types with Rapid Spin like Brambleghast and Tsareena are particularly dangerous foes because they can chase Swampert out while removing Stealth Rock simultaneously. Pokemon with Grass-type coverage like Grass Knot Infernape, Energy Ball Chandelure, and Tera Blast Grass Iron Thorns can typically KO Swampert without warning from high health.
**Chip Damage**: Swampert lacks reliable recovery, so it is vulnerable to repeated damage from entry hazards, status ailments from Vileplume's Effect Spore and Talonflame's Flame Body, and repeated attacks from foes it is meant to check like Mienshao, Munkidori, and Hisuian Typhlosion. Knock Off users like Incineroar and Alolan Muk only exacerbate this issue with their ability to remove Swampert's Leftovers.
[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/hammer798.641404/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/powerofmemes.583607/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/stories.400664/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/a-blue-banana.649096/
Last edited by a moderator:
