taken over from Many - a lot of this is his work, and removed hera mentions
qc: col49 from old thread, avocado, teachtable
gp:
[OVERVIEW]
Toxicroak's good offensive typing and movepool allow it to threaten a lot of the tier with its STAB moves and coverage, and an amazing ability in Dry Skin allows Toxicroak to act as a great counter to the plethora of bulky Water-types in the tier, such as Milotic and Araquanid. Also, Toxicroak has a fairly good defensive typing that comes with resistances to common types like Fighting and Grass. Dry Skin and this typing make it immune to both Toxic poison and burns from Scald, which is amazing. However, Pokemon that check or counter Toxicroak, such as Doublade, Gligar, and Cresselia, are very common, making it harder for it to threaten a lot of teams. Its subpar Speed tier leaves it revenge killed by faster threats like Salazzle, Zygarde-10%, and Moltres without too much difficulty. Finally, Toxicroak faces competition from Machamp, Pangoro, and Bewear; although it has priority and the ability to check Water-types, Pangoro and Bewear are much better wallbreakers, and Machamp also does not care about Toxic poison and Scald burns.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Gunk Shot
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Ice Punch / Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Toxicroak's attack and allows it to break bulky Pokemon that it would be otherwise be unable to break. Gunk Shot is Toxicroak's most powerful attack; it hits Fairy- and Psychic-types, which Drain Punch is unable to hit. Drain Punch is a solid Fighting-type STAB move that allows Toxicroak to check opposing Water- and Fighting-types throughout the match. Meanwhile, Ice Punch is useful for hitting Nidoqueen and Gligar, which otherwise wall Toxicroak. Sucker Punch makes up for Toxicroak's subpar Speed tier by allowing it to hit faster Pokemon before they can strike it. Knock Off can be used as an option in the final slot, as it hits Doublade and other Ghost-types while also crippling Pokemon that are reliant on their item, such as Gligar and Bronzong.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs, as well as a Jolly nature, are used to make Toxicroak as fast and powerful as possible. Life Orb gives Toxicroak a much-needed power boost on all of its moves. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Spe with an Adamant nature and Black Sludge takes advantage of Toxicroak's good defensive typing and ability, allowing it to check Water- and Fighting-types more consistently throughout the match while still outspeeding Adamant Tyrantrum and Honchkrow.
Usage Tips
========
Toxicroak should pivot into bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Milotic and Araquanid so it can force them out. Toxicroak also scares out Grass-types like Chesnaught and Roserade and Fairy-types such as Florges and Comfey. Take these opportunities to set up a Swords Dance or weaken a check with Toxicroak's STAB moves. Prediction is key to make the most of Toxicroak's abilities, even more than with most wallbreakers. For example, using Knock Off on the switch to Gligar or Doublade or Swords Dance on the switch to Slowbro will help Toxicroak do its job. If running Sucker Punch, Toxicroak can preserve itself until it has an opportunity to sweep late-game if needed.
Team Options
========
Toxicroak counters most bulky Water-types, so Pokemon that appreciate this, such as Feraligatr, Flygon, and Cloyster, make great teammates. Fast, frail threats like Swellow and Salazzle appreciate Toxicroak's ability to break through bulkier Pokemon for them, allowing them to clean up late-game. Yanmega is an exceptional partner, as it lures in Pokemon that Toxicroak can take advantage of, such as Milotic, Gigalith, and Porygon2. Gligar and other Ground-types give Toxicroak a hard time; Mega Glalie and Feraligatr take advantage of them and are therefore decent teammates. Finally, Toxicroak appreciates checks to the Psychic-types that it has a hard time breaking through, so Doublade and Escavalier should be considered as partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
If Gunk Shot is used, Poisonium Z turns it into a 190-Base Power Acid Downpour, which breaks through even bulky Pokemon like Slowbro and Cresselia when at +2. Although it sounds like a gimmick, a defensive set with an EV spread of 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe, an Impish nature, Ghostium Z, and Spite is a decent option for stall teams. It acts as a catch-all answer to some of the biggest threats to stall, such as Pangoro, Virizion, and Araquanid, and Z-Spite fully heals it once, letting it check those threats throughout the match. Darkinium Z is a decent option when paired with Sucker Punch to give Toxicroak a 140-Base Power Black Hole Eclipse, which can be used against Doublade and other Ghost- and Psychic-types, but you severely miss out on power from Toxicroak's main STAB moves. Earthquake hits Doublade and Dragalge at the same time, although it lacks the utility of Knock Off. Nasty Plot sets with Dark Pulse are decent for luring Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade, but they do not hit very hard and Toxicroak can already somewhat get around these Pokemon with a physical set. Substitute + Focus Punch is an option to take advantage of the switches Toxicroak forces, but it does sacrifice very important coverage. Finally, Taunt can be used to break through Pyukumuku, and it also prevents Pokemon like Cresselia and Jellicent from recovering their health if played carefully.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Quagsire**: Toxicroak can do nothing to Quagsire; it doesn't care if Toxicroak sets up a Swords Dance, takes little damage from any unboosted move, and OHKOes Toxicroak with Earthquake.
**Ground-types**: Gligar walls Toxicroak lacking Ice Punch, although it dislikes Knock Off. Nidoqueen can take anything except for a +2 Ice Punch and OHKO back with Earth Power. Zygarde-10% and Flygon can revenge kill Toxicroak easily and Flygon can even switch in if necessary, and Donphan is not 2HKOed by any unboosted move.
**Ghost-types**: Doublade walls Toxicroak that are not carrying Knock Off, and even Knock Off will fail to 2HKO Doublade. Jellicent can also easily burn any Toxicroak lacking Knock Off.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: Cresselia can take on Life Orb Toxicroak by taking most hits at +2 and OHKOing with Psychic, but should watch out for +2 Acid Downpour or Black Hole Eclipse.
**Faster Pokemon**: Toxicroak is frail, and therefore most Pokemon that outspeed it can beat it. Pokemon such as Salazzle, Swellow, Shaymin, and Flygon can all outspeed and OHKO Toxicroak, but they might have to be wary of Sucker Punch at lower health.
qc: col49 from old thread, avocado, teachtable
gp:
[OVERVIEW]
Toxicroak's good offensive typing and movepool allow it to threaten a lot of the tier with its STAB moves and coverage, and an amazing ability in Dry Skin allows Toxicroak to act as a great counter to the plethora of bulky Water-types in the tier, such as Milotic and Araquanid. Also, Toxicroak has a fairly good defensive typing that comes with resistances to common types like Fighting and Grass. Dry Skin and this typing make it immune to both Toxic poison and burns from Scald, which is amazing. However, Pokemon that check or counter Toxicroak, such as Doublade, Gligar, and Cresselia, are very common, making it harder for it to threaten a lot of teams. Its subpar Speed tier leaves it revenge killed by faster threats like Salazzle, Zygarde-10%, and Moltres without too much difficulty. Finally, Toxicroak faces competition from Machamp, Pangoro, and Bewear; although it has priority and the ability to check Water-types, Pangoro and Bewear are much better wallbreakers, and Machamp also does not care about Toxic poison and Scald burns.
[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Gunk Shot
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Ice Punch / Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Swords Dance boosts Toxicroak's attack and allows it to break bulky Pokemon that it would be otherwise be unable to break. Gunk Shot is Toxicroak's most powerful attack; it hits Fairy- and Psychic-types, which Drain Punch is unable to hit. Drain Punch is a solid Fighting-type STAB move that allows Toxicroak to check opposing Water- and Fighting-types throughout the match. Meanwhile, Ice Punch is useful for hitting Nidoqueen and Gligar, which otherwise wall Toxicroak. Sucker Punch makes up for Toxicroak's subpar Speed tier by allowing it to hit faster Pokemon before they can strike it. Knock Off can be used as an option in the final slot, as it hits Doublade and other Ghost-types while also crippling Pokemon that are reliant on their item, such as Gligar and Bronzong.
Set Details
========
Maximum Attack and Speed EVs, as well as a Jolly nature, are used to make Toxicroak as fast and powerful as possible. Life Orb gives Toxicroak a much-needed power boost on all of its moves. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Spe with an Adamant nature and Black Sludge takes advantage of Toxicroak's good defensive typing and ability, allowing it to check Water- and Fighting-types more consistently throughout the match while still outspeeding Adamant Tyrantrum and Honchkrow.
Usage Tips
========
Toxicroak should pivot into bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Milotic and Araquanid so it can force them out. Toxicroak also scares out Grass-types like Chesnaught and Roserade and Fairy-types such as Florges and Comfey. Take these opportunities to set up a Swords Dance or weaken a check with Toxicroak's STAB moves. Prediction is key to make the most of Toxicroak's abilities, even more than with most wallbreakers. For example, using Knock Off on the switch to Gligar or Doublade or Swords Dance on the switch to Slowbro will help Toxicroak do its job. If running Sucker Punch, Toxicroak can preserve itself until it has an opportunity to sweep late-game if needed.
Team Options
========
Toxicroak counters most bulky Water-types, so Pokemon that appreciate this, such as Feraligatr, Flygon, and Cloyster, make great teammates. Fast, frail threats like Swellow and Salazzle appreciate Toxicroak's ability to break through bulkier Pokemon for them, allowing them to clean up late-game. Yanmega is an exceptional partner, as it lures in Pokemon that Toxicroak can take advantage of, such as Milotic, Gigalith, and Porygon2. Gligar and other Ground-types give Toxicroak a hard time; Mega Glalie and Feraligatr take advantage of them and are therefore decent teammates. Finally, Toxicroak appreciates checks to the Psychic-types that it has a hard time breaking through, so Doublade and Escavalier should be considered as partners.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
If Gunk Shot is used, Poisonium Z turns it into a 190-Base Power Acid Downpour, which breaks through even bulky Pokemon like Slowbro and Cresselia when at +2. Although it sounds like a gimmick, a defensive set with an EV spread of 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe, an Impish nature, Ghostium Z, and Spite is a decent option for stall teams. It acts as a catch-all answer to some of the biggest threats to stall, such as Pangoro, Virizion, and Araquanid, and Z-Spite fully heals it once, letting it check those threats throughout the match. Darkinium Z is a decent option when paired with Sucker Punch to give Toxicroak a 140-Base Power Black Hole Eclipse, which can be used against Doublade and other Ghost- and Psychic-types, but you severely miss out on power from Toxicroak's main STAB moves. Earthquake hits Doublade and Dragalge at the same time, although it lacks the utility of Knock Off. Nasty Plot sets with Dark Pulse are decent for luring Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade, but they do not hit very hard and Toxicroak can already somewhat get around these Pokemon with a physical set. Substitute + Focus Punch is an option to take advantage of the switches Toxicroak forces, but it does sacrifice very important coverage. Finally, Taunt can be used to break through Pyukumuku, and it also prevents Pokemon like Cresselia and Jellicent from recovering their health if played carefully.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Quagsire**: Toxicroak can do nothing to Quagsire; it doesn't care if Toxicroak sets up a Swords Dance, takes little damage from any unboosted move, and OHKOes Toxicroak with Earthquake.
**Ground-types**: Gligar walls Toxicroak lacking Ice Punch, although it dislikes Knock Off. Nidoqueen can take anything except for a +2 Ice Punch and OHKO back with Earth Power. Zygarde-10% and Flygon can revenge kill Toxicroak easily and Flygon can even switch in if necessary, and Donphan is not 2HKOed by any unboosted move.
**Ghost-types**: Doublade walls Toxicroak that are not carrying Knock Off, and even Knock Off will fail to 2HKO Doublade. Jellicent can also easily burn any Toxicroak lacking Knock Off.
**Bulky Psychic-types**: Cresselia can take on Life Orb Toxicroak by taking most hits at +2 and OHKOing with Psychic, but should watch out for +2 Acid Downpour or Black Hole Eclipse.
**Faster Pokemon**: Toxicroak is frail, and therefore most Pokemon that outspeed it can beat it. Pokemon such as Salazzle, Swellow, Shaymin, and Flygon can all outspeed and OHKO Toxicroak, but they might have to be wary of Sucker Punch at lower health.
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