[OVERVIEW]
Throh's unique combination of Mold Breaker, Storm Throw, and great bulk gives it a niche, allowing it to bypass would-be checks like Tangela and non-Curse Quagsire, edge out opposing setup sweepers such as Gurdurr and Calm Mind Spiritomb, and serve as a blanket check to Pokemon such as Hitmonchan, Lycanroc, and Alolan Persian. Throh also stands out from its main competitor in Gurdurr with its greater Speed, better special bulk, and ability to viably run Leftovers, which grants it passive recovery and many setup opportunities that Gurdurr lacks with the use of Substitute. However, Throh's overall poor Speed and lack of recovery options outside of Leftovers can make it easy to wear down prior to setup, especially by status if it can't use Substitute in time. The abundance of Fighting-type checks such as Oricorio-E, Victreebel, and Silvally-Fairy also serve as hindrances to Throh and can prevent it from successfully setting up if they're healthy enough to pivot in and threaten it. Finally, even with Throh's upsides, it faces competition with Gurdurr for a team slot due to the latter's higher physical bulk, access to Mach Punch for fast-paced teams, and better utilization of Guts to take advantage of status, though Throh's previously mentioned qualities and far greater matchup against balance and stall teams give it a reason to be used.
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Storm Throw
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Impish
evs: 128 HP / 104 Def / 152 SpD / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Storm Throw is Throh's most consistent form of damage output and can be used to ignore Defense boosts from Pokemon like Gurdurr and Mudsdale. Knock Off offers utility in removing items like Gurdurr's Eviolite, and it also targets Pokemon resistant or immune to Storm Throw such as Alolan Raichu and Oricorio-G. Substitute provides Throh with a shield from status moves, makes it harder to revenge kill, and allows it to utilize Bulk Up and its solid natural defenses to prevent weaker Pokemon such as Tangela and Skuntank lacking Choice Band from breaking it.
Set Details
========
124 Speed EVs allow Throh to outpace uninvested Pokemon with base 60 Speed and slower such as Tangela, Regirock, and Audino. The given defensive EVs and an Impish nature prevent weaker Pokemon like Tangela, Quagsire, Ferroseed, and defensive Froslass and Alolan Sandslash from breaking Throh's Substitute. Mold Breaker enables Throh to beat Unaware Quagsire lacking Curse and Pyukumuku.
Usage Tips
========
Throh is best used late-game when defensive checks like Silvally-Fairy and Victreebel as well as wallbreakers such as Dodrio are weakened or out of the picture. Utilize Throh's incredible matchup against bulkier teams to take advantage of Pokemon like Regirock, Quagsire, Tangela, and Calm Mind Spiritomb, but find a way to switch it in through a pivot or a predicted attack, as the former three can carry Toxic and cripple Throh. Feel free to use Substitute against such Pokemon if the opposing team does not have an immediate switch-in, as they usually lack the proper tools to break it and allow Throh to set up. If Throh can't successfully set up yet, Knock Off is a great move to spam early-game to remove items from checks like Oricorio-E and Sableye, as well as scout for potential Z-Move users. Make use of another teammate to eliminate or severely weaken such checks to ensure that Throh can perform its role later in a match. Keeping Throh healthy and away from status moves is important if its setup abilities are needed so that it can have safer opportunities to use Bulk Up or Substitute, so exercise caution when using it to soft check Pokemon such as Cryogonal or sending it out with entry hazards on the field.
Team Options
========
Poison-types like Qwilfish, Roselia, and Skuntank are great partners for Throh, since they can switch into Toxic and absorb Toxic Spikes, and Choice Band Skuntank is an optimal Pursuit trapper against Throh's checks like Sableye and Musharna. Toxic Spikes from Qwilfish and Roselia as well as Destiny Bond from Qwilfish can cripple and eliminate several checks to Throh, and Throh can use it with Substitute to rack up damage. Entry hazard setters in general like Regirock and Froslass aid Throh in breaking through teams, and both serve as answers to some of Throh's checks like Oricorio-E. Offensive teammates such as Lycanroc, Rotom-F, and Absol are also nice partners for Throh as powerful attackers that can target the Flying- and Psychic-type that pose a significant threat to it. All of these Pokemon also appreciate Throh's ability to soft check the likes of Hitmonchan and Alolan Persian. Throh appreciates teammates that can support its longevity, so Heal Bell users like Altaria and Lanturn are useful for removing status ailments that can cripple Throh, while Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian and Healing Wish Musharna can bring it back up to full health. Pivots such as Silvally-Fairy, Lanturn, and Alolan Persian are excellent ways to bring Throh into play without forcing it to take excessive damage or a potential status move. Parting Shot from Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Persian can even make it easier for Throh to set up, but U-turn Silvally-Fairy is also a viable option as a unique way to lure Regirock for Throh to take advantage of.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Guts allows Throh to punish faster users of status moves such as Jellicent and Altaria, but forgoing Mold Breaker takes away Throh's ability to threaten Quagsire, making it much harder for Throh to break a handful of balance and stall teams, which is a major reason to consider using it over Gurdurr. Toxic cripples answers to Throh like Oricorio-E, Sableye, and Silvally-Fairy, though it struggles to find room to run it. A RestTalk set with Circle Throw gives Throh a form of recovery and a way to rack up entry hazard damage. Offensive Throh sets like Choice Band can utilize its decent Attack and large movepool, but Throh lacks a powerful and spammable STAB move and is usually outclassed by more consistent wallbreakers such as Stoutland, Aggron, and Dodrio, all of which possess greater power or Speed. Other offensive Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan and Primeape are preferred for their far better Speed tiers and the latter's ability to pivot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Pokemon like Oricorio-E, Swanna, and Scyther can pivot into Throh relatively easily and threaten it with their super effective moves, though Scyther doesn't appreciate Knock Off. Dodrio and Oricorio-G also threaten it but can struggle to switch in directly.
**Fairy- and Psychic-types**: Pokemon such as Silvally-Fairy, Alolan Raichu, and Musharna resist Storm Throw, and Silvally-Fairy is able to switch into even a boosted Knock Off. Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Raichu can also use Throh as a setup opportunity if forced out.
**Residual Damage and Status**: Throh can struggle to set up if it switches into multiple entry hazards or takes chip damage trying to check Pokemon such as Lycanroc throughout a game. Faster users of status moves such as Sableye, Jellicent, and Altaria can cripple Throh before it can use Substitute, affecting its longevity and ability to threaten bulkier teams. Sableye and Jellicent can also use Taunt to prevent Throh from using Bulk Up or Substitute.
**Various Wallbreakers**: Even with Throh's solid defenses, strong attackers like Choice Band Aggron and Choice Specs Aurorus can easily 2HKO it, though neither can safely switch in or beat it if it's behind a Substitute. Victreebel is especially noteworthy, as it can wall Throh with Strength Sap and wear it down with repeated attacks.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[tondas, 442732]]
- Quality checked by: [[StickingGum, 434150], [UBERSkitty, 355061], [rwby, 252106]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
Throh's unique combination of Mold Breaker, Storm Throw, and great bulk gives it a niche, allowing it to bypass would-be checks like Tangela and non-Curse Quagsire, edge out opposing setup sweepers such as Gurdurr and Calm Mind Spiritomb, and serve as a blanket check to Pokemon such as Hitmonchan, Lycanroc, and Alolan Persian. Throh also stands out from its main competitor in Gurdurr with its greater Speed, better special bulk, and ability to viably run Leftovers, which grants it passive recovery and many setup opportunities that Gurdurr lacks with the use of Substitute. However, Throh's overall poor Speed and lack of recovery options outside of Leftovers can make it easy to wear down prior to setup, especially by status if it can't use Substitute in time. The abundance of Fighting-type checks such as Oricorio-E, Victreebel, and Silvally-Fairy also serve as hindrances to Throh and can prevent it from successfully setting up if they're healthy enough to pivot in and threaten it. Finally, even with Throh's upsides, it faces competition with Gurdurr for a team slot due to the latter's higher physical bulk, access to Mach Punch for fast-paced teams, and better utilization of Guts to take advantage of status, though Throh's previously mentioned qualities and far greater matchup against balance and stall teams give it a reason to be used.
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Bulk Up
move 2: Storm Throw
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Substitute
item: Leftovers
ability: Mold Breaker
nature: Impish
evs: 128 HP / 104 Def / 152 SpD / 124 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Storm Throw is Throh's most consistent form of damage output and can be used to ignore Defense boosts from Pokemon like Gurdurr and Mudsdale. Knock Off offers utility in removing items like Gurdurr's Eviolite, and it also targets Pokemon resistant or immune to Storm Throw such as Alolan Raichu and Oricorio-G. Substitute provides Throh with a shield from status moves, makes it harder to revenge kill, and allows it to utilize Bulk Up and its solid natural defenses to prevent weaker Pokemon such as Tangela and Skuntank lacking Choice Band from breaking it.
Set Details
========
124 Speed EVs allow Throh to outpace uninvested Pokemon with base 60 Speed and slower such as Tangela, Regirock, and Audino. The given defensive EVs and an Impish nature prevent weaker Pokemon like Tangela, Quagsire, Ferroseed, and defensive Froslass and Alolan Sandslash from breaking Throh's Substitute. Mold Breaker enables Throh to beat Unaware Quagsire lacking Curse and Pyukumuku.
Usage Tips
========
Throh is best used late-game when defensive checks like Silvally-Fairy and Victreebel as well as wallbreakers such as Dodrio are weakened or out of the picture. Utilize Throh's incredible matchup against bulkier teams to take advantage of Pokemon like Regirock, Quagsire, Tangela, and Calm Mind Spiritomb, but find a way to switch it in through a pivot or a predicted attack, as the former three can carry Toxic and cripple Throh. Feel free to use Substitute against such Pokemon if the opposing team does not have an immediate switch-in, as they usually lack the proper tools to break it and allow Throh to set up. If Throh can't successfully set up yet, Knock Off is a great move to spam early-game to remove items from checks like Oricorio-E and Sableye, as well as scout for potential Z-Move users. Make use of another teammate to eliminate or severely weaken such checks to ensure that Throh can perform its role later in a match. Keeping Throh healthy and away from status moves is important if its setup abilities are needed so that it can have safer opportunities to use Bulk Up or Substitute, so exercise caution when using it to soft check Pokemon such as Cryogonal or sending it out with entry hazards on the field.
Team Options
========
Poison-types like Qwilfish, Roselia, and Skuntank are great partners for Throh, since they can switch into Toxic and absorb Toxic Spikes, and Choice Band Skuntank is an optimal Pursuit trapper against Throh's checks like Sableye and Musharna. Toxic Spikes from Qwilfish and Roselia as well as Destiny Bond from Qwilfish can cripple and eliminate several checks to Throh, and Throh can use it with Substitute to rack up damage. Entry hazard setters in general like Regirock and Froslass aid Throh in breaking through teams, and both serve as answers to some of Throh's checks like Oricorio-E. Offensive teammates such as Lycanroc, Rotom-F, and Absol are also nice partners for Throh as powerful attackers that can target the Flying- and Psychic-type that pose a significant threat to it. All of these Pokemon also appreciate Throh's ability to soft check the likes of Hitmonchan and Alolan Persian. Throh appreciates teammates that can support its longevity, so Heal Bell users like Altaria and Lanturn are useful for removing status ailments that can cripple Throh, while Z-Parting Shot Alolan Persian and Healing Wish Musharna can bring it back up to full health. Pivots such as Silvally-Fairy, Lanturn, and Alolan Persian are excellent ways to bring Throh into play without forcing it to take excessive damage or a potential status move. Parting Shot from Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Persian can even make it easier for Throh to set up, but U-turn Silvally-Fairy is also a viable option as a unique way to lure Regirock for Throh to take advantage of.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Guts allows Throh to punish faster users of status moves such as Jellicent and Altaria, but forgoing Mold Breaker takes away Throh's ability to threaten Quagsire, making it much harder for Throh to break a handful of balance and stall teams, which is a major reason to consider using it over Gurdurr. Toxic cripples answers to Throh like Oricorio-E, Sableye, and Silvally-Fairy, though it struggles to find room to run it. A RestTalk set with Circle Throw gives Throh a form of recovery and a way to rack up entry hazard damage. Offensive Throh sets like Choice Band can utilize its decent Attack and large movepool, but Throh lacks a powerful and spammable STAB move and is usually outclassed by more consistent wallbreakers such as Stoutland, Aggron, and Dodrio, all of which possess greater power or Speed. Other offensive Fighting-types such as Hitmonchan and Primeape are preferred for their far better Speed tiers and the latter's ability to pivot.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Flying-types**: Pokemon like Oricorio-E, Swanna, and Scyther can pivot into Throh relatively easily and threaten it with their super effective moves, though Scyther doesn't appreciate Knock Off. Dodrio and Oricorio-G also threaten it but can struggle to switch in directly.
**Fairy- and Psychic-types**: Pokemon such as Silvally-Fairy, Alolan Raichu, and Musharna resist Storm Throw, and Silvally-Fairy is able to switch into even a boosted Knock Off. Silvally-Fairy and Alolan Raichu can also use Throh as a setup opportunity if forced out.
**Residual Damage and Status**: Throh can struggle to set up if it switches into multiple entry hazards or takes chip damage trying to check Pokemon such as Lycanroc throughout a game. Faster users of status moves such as Sableye, Jellicent, and Altaria can cripple Throh before it can use Substitute, affecting its longevity and ability to threaten bulkier teams. Sableye and Jellicent can also use Taunt to prevent Throh from using Bulk Up or Substitute.
**Various Wallbreakers**: Even with Throh's solid defenses, strong attackers like Choice Band Aggron and Choice Specs Aurorus can easily 2HKO it, though neither can safely switch in or beat it if it's behind a Substitute. Victreebel is especially noteworthy, as it can wall Throh with Strength Sap and wear it down with repeated attacks.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[tondas, 442732]]
- Quality checked by: [[StickingGum, 434150], [UBERSkitty, 355061], [rwby, 252106]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732], [The Dutch Plumberjack, 232216]]
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