Quality Control XY Salamence [QC 0/2]

[ned04817]

[SET]
Mixed Attacker (Salamence) @ Salamencite
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 176 Atk / 80 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Double-Edge
- Hyper Voice / Stone Edge
- Fire Blast / Tailwind / Roost
- Protect

[SET COMMENTS]

• Mega Salamence is a strong bruiser with a well rounded stat spread, leveraging its high Speed, wide movepool, and powerful Aerilate-boosted attacks to deal consistent damage. It also provides valuable utility with pre-Mega Intimidate and good resistances, notably checking the omnipresent Volcanion. However, Salamence is held back due to its 4x Ice weakness and susceptibility to Stealth Rock, struggling versus common threats including Thundurus and Deoxys-S.
• Double-Edge is its strongest single-target option, capable of breaking through bulky foes when sheer power is needed.
• Hyper Voice provides reliable spread damage that chips both opponents, while Stone Edge is an alternative to 2HKO Volcanion and Thundurus.
• Fire Blast allows Salamence to threaten Steel-types such as Aegislash and Ferrothorn, while Tailwind offers valuable speed control for its team. Roost is another option to extend longevity and offset recoil from Double-Edge.
• Other options include Dragon Dance, which can turn Salamence into a dangerous setup sweeper if given room, and Return as a weaker alternative to Double-Edge but without recoil. Flamethrower can replace Fire Blast for a more accurate option, while Hidden Power Ice targets Landorus-T.
• The listed EV spread is guaranteed to OHKO 252 HP Ferrothorn with Fire Blast and the remaining EVs are dumped in Attack. Alternatively, Salamence can run a bulkier EV spread of 248 HP / 36 Atk / 40 SpD / 184 Spe to outspeed Thundurus and live Landorus' Hidden Power Ice.
• Salamence fits well on sand teams, pairing nicely with Tyranitar and Excadrill as they beat Thundurus and appreciate Salamence checking Fighting-types like Conkeldurr, Scrafty, and Keldeo. Aegislash and Salamence resist each others weaknesses, making an excellent bulky core. Strong Rain checks such as Amoonguss and Thundurus are also good partners, as they help against Water-types and offer disruption that gives Salamence room to attack.
• When using Salamence, try to avoid Mega Evolving immediately if Intimidate’s attack drops will be useful later. Also be mindful of Stealth Rock damage, as it quickly wears Salamence down in conjunction with Double-Edge recoil.

[CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ned04817.353628/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/zee.501951/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/daawesomedude1.228280/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ethanlac.391343/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/adorluigi.528364/