Porygon Z Analysis for Series 6 (VGC 2020)

“Additional software was installed to make it a better Pokémon. It began acting oddly, however.”

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

Strengths

• Adaptability
• High Base Special Attack
• Decent Coverage

Weaknesses

• No Super Effective STAB
• Mediocre Bulk
• Somewhat Predictable

 

 

 

ABILITY

 

• Adaptability – Powers up moves of the same type (STAB 1.5x > 2x).
  • Best Ability for Porygon Z to maximize the damage output of its Max Strike.
• Download – Adjusts power according to the foe’s ability (+1 ATTACK or SP. ATK depending on foe).
  • Too inconsistent to be properly useful and/or reliable.
• Analytic – Boosts move power when the Pokémon moves last.
  • Too detrimental to be consistent.

 

 

 

ITEM

 

• Life Orb – An item to be held by a Pokémon. It boosts the power of moves, but at the cost of some HP on each hit.
  • Great balanced option to buff the damage of all moves.
• Silk Scarf – A hold item that raises the power of NORMAL Type moves.
  • Decent choice to buff the damage of Porygon Z’s sole STAB without revealing Hold Item choice or be conditional.
• Weakness Policy – An item to be held by a Pokémon. ATTACK and SP. ATK sharply increase if the holder is hit with a move it’s weak to.
  • Decent option for Porygon Z to get a significant power boost. Best used in tandem with Dynamax.

 

 

 

STATS

 

85 80 70 135 75 90

 

 

 

MOVES

 

1. NORMAL Type STAB – Hyper Beam
   • Hyper Beam hits extremely hard at the cost of forced recharge on the following turn. Best used in tandem with Dynamax.
2. Coverage – Dark Pulse / Thunderbolt / Ice Beam / Psychic
   • Dark Pulse allows Porygon Z to hit the GHOST Type foes that are immune to its Max Strike and serves as a great base for Max Darkness.
   • Thunderbolt serves as a great base for Max Lightning to nullify Sleep shenanigans.
   • Ice Beam allows Porygon Z to hit GRASS, FLYING, and DRAGON Type foes hard without triggering Competitive and Defiant.
   • Psychic allows Porygon Z to hit FIGHTING Type foes and serves as a great base for Max Mindstorm.
3. Utility – Nasty Plot
   • Nasty Plot allows Porygon Z to hit a lot harder on subsequent turns. Best used in tandem with redirection support.
4. Filler – Protect
   • Protect helps to ward off a hit and scout for opposing intentions.

 

 

 

SAMPLE SET

 

Porygon-Z @ Life Orb / Weakness Policy
Ability: Adaptability
Level: 50
EVs: 4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Dark Pulse
– Hyper Beam
– Nasty Plot / Thunderbolt
– Protect

 

Damage Benchmarks:

252 SpA Life Orb Porygon-Z Thunderbolt vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame: 187 (121.4%) – 221 (143.5%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Porygon-Z Thunderbolt vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Braviary: 174 (99.4%) – 205 (117.1%) — 87.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Hatterene: 224 (136.5%) – 265 (161.5%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 220 HP / 60 SpD Arcanine: 255 (132.1%) – 302 (156.4%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Clefairy: 213 (120.3%) – 252 (142.3%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Lapras: 239 (116%) – 283 (137.3%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Primarina: 203 (108.5%) – 239 (127.8%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 116 SpD Gastrodon: 234 (107.3%) – 278 (127.5%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 44 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 185 (105.1%) – 218 (123.8%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Porygon-Z Max Lightning (130 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Lapras: 208 (100.9%) – 247 (119.9%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Porygon-Z Max Lightning (130 BP) vs. 220 HP / 4 SpD Corviknight: 224 (111.4%) – 265 (131.8%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Talonflame (DYNAMAX): 309 (100.3%) – 364 (118.1%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Grimmsnarl: 200 (99%) – 237 (117.3%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 76+ SpD Politoed: 192 (97.4%) – 229 (116.2%) — 87.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 108 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Tsareena: 156 (96.8%) – 185 (114.9%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Urshifu (DYNAMAX): 338 (96.5%) – 400 (114.2%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 144+ SpD Amoonguss: 213 (96.3%) – 252 (114%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 244 HP / 0 SpD Milotic: 190 (94.5%) – 226 (112.4%) — 68.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Dracozolt (DYNAMAX): 307 (92.4%) – 361 (108.7%) — 50% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Porygon-Z (DYNAMAX): 289 (89.7%) – 341 (105.9%) — 37.5% chance to OHKO

-1 252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 220 HP / 60 SpD Arcanine: 169 (87.5%) – 200 (103.6%) — 18.8% chance to OHKO

 

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 164 HP / 28 SpD Assault Vest Duraludon: 185 (111.4%) – 218 (131.3%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Assault Vest Primarina: 203 (108.5%) – 239 (127.8%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Darkness (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Eviolite Dusclops: 159 (108.1%) – 187 (127.2%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Lightning (130 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Braviary (DYNAMAX): 372 (106.2%) – 439 (125.4%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Darkness (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 4 SpD Marowak-Alola (DYNAMAX): 354 (105.9%) – 416 (124.5%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Porygon-Z (DYNAMAX) with Friend Guard: 324 (100.6%) – 382 (118.6%) — guaranteed OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Lapras (DYNAMAX): 356 (86.4%) – 421 (102.1%) — 12.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Helping Hand Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 212 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 152 (86.3%) – 179 (101.7%) — 12.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Max Strike (150 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Charizard (DYNAMAX): 263 (85.3%) – 309 (100.3%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO

 

 

Defensive Benchmarks:

252+ Atk Strong Jaw Dracovish Fishious Rend (Doubled) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Porygon-Z (DYNAMAX): 249 (77.3%) – 294 (91.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO

252+ Atk Life Orb Hustle Dracozolt Max Lightning (130 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Porygon-Z (DYNAMAX): 265 (82.2%) – 312 (96.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO

252 Atk Single Strike Urshifu Close Combat vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Porygon-Z (DYNAMAX): 272 (84.4%) – 324 (100.6%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO

 

252 SpA Life Orb Solar Power Charizard Max Flare (130 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Porygon-Z (DYNAMAX) in Sun with Friend Guard: 273 (84.7%) – 322 (100%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO

 

 

 

TEAMMATES

 

Alolan Raichu / Dracovish

 

One way that Porygon Z can support the team is through the Speed control it provides through Max Strike. Two candidates are featured here, for slightly different reasons. Due to the mechanics of Fishious Rend, Dracovish greatly appreciates Porygon Z slowing down the foes so that it can consistently blast them with a 170 Base Power STAB move. Alolan Raichu, on the other hand, enters discussion thanks to its synergy with Electro Ball. As a Psychic Type Pokemon, it can help deal with Fighting Type adversaries. Additionally, it can trigger its Surge Surfer Ability through Porygon Z’s Max Lightning to gain a massive Speed boost and deal more damage.

 

Clefairy

 

While the sheer power of Adaptability Max Strike is enough to OHKO most Pokemon, it is often not enough to secure the KO through Dynamax. This forces the Virtual Pokemon to go for the 2HKO, which opens it up to two hits from both foes. This is where Clefairy comes in handy. With Follow Me and Friend Guard support, Porygon Z stands a strong chance to survive any strong hit. With Helping Hand, Clefairy can help Porygon Z bridge the damage gap and land the KO that was otherwise impossible.

 

Hitmontop

 

A strong Fighting Type Pokemon can come in handy when dealing with the Rock Type and/or Steel Type foes that resist Porygon Z’s Max Strike. While there are multiple candidates that fit the bill, like Lucario, Conkeldurr, Sirfetch’d, and Urshifu, Hitmontop is the one that leads this section. It starts off with Intimidate and Fake Out, two important assets at managing Porygon Z’s longevity. Then there is Feint, Wide Guard, and the important STAB Close Combat. The final factor lies in Vacuum Wave, which enables Weakness Policy play on Porygon Z more efficiently than Mach Punch since it generally doesn’t cost as much HP.

 

 

 

CHECKS AND COUNTERS

 

Escavalier / Durant

 

The family of Bug and Steel Type Pokemon are particularly annoying to deal with, especially since Porygon Z lacks Fire Type coverage. Durant, for example, is naturally faster and can snipe the Virtual Pokemon with Hustle boosted Max Flutterby. Even if it is redirected away, the Special Attack drop will greatly reduce Porygon Z’s damage output. Escavalier, on the other hand, exemplifies Trick Room play that Porygon Z doesn’t fancy operating in, owing to the effects of Max Strike.

 

Terrakion / Coalossal

 

Rock Type Pokemon, like their Steel Type brethren above, resist Max Strike comfortably. Terrakion goes one step further, faring well against Max Darkness. It is naturally faster and can OHKO Porygon Z with Max Knuckle, even through Dynamax. Coalossal, on the other hand, is often piloted in its Gigantamax form, which comfortably tanks a Max Strike from Porygon Z. Through Steam Engine play, Coalossal can outspeed and smash the Virtual Pokemon with +2 G Max Vocalith.

 

DYNAMAX / GIGANTAMAX

 

As mentioned previously, Porygon Z often misses out on important KOs on foes through Dynamax. This can be extremely concerning, considering the Virtual Pokemon’s low bulk. This poses problems when Porygon Z is matched against faster foes like G Max Venusaur, Charizard, or bulkier threats like Rillaboom. Choice Band Rillaboom can even OHKO Dynamax Porygon Z with Grassy Terrain boosted Grassy Glide.

 

 

 

PUBLIC REPLAYS

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8vgc2020-1176004932 (Porygon Z + Clefairy)

Garbodor Analysis for Series 6 (VGC 2020)

“It sprays toxic gas from its mouth and fingers. If the gas engulfs you, the toxins will seep in all the way down to your bones.”

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

Strengths

• Weak Armor + Dynamic Speed
• Low Number of Type Weaknesses

Weaknesses

• Only 1 STAB
• Limited Offensive Move Pool

 

 

 

ABILITY

 

• Stench – By releasing stench when attacking, this Pokémon may cause the target to flinch.
  • Decent option to abuse RNG. Too situational to be a consistent pick over the better Ability(s) Garbodor can have.
• Weak Armor – Physical attacks to the Pokémon lower its DEFENSE stat but sharply raise its SPEED stat.
  • Best option for Garbodor in the era of Dynamic SPEED. Can be used to quickly elevate Garbodor’s move order.
• Aftermath – Damages the attacker if it contacts the Pokémon with a finishing hit.
  • Too situational to be a consistent pick over the better Ability(s) Kingdra can have.

 

 

 

ITEM

 

• Weakness Policy – An item to be held by a Pokémon. ATTACK and SP. ATK sharply increase if the holder is hit with a move it’s weak to.
  • Decent option to quickly double Garbodor’s damage output. Best used in tandem with Dynamax and/or Gigantamax.
• Black Sludge – A hold item that gradually restores the HP of POISON Type Pokémon. It inflicts damage on all other types.
  • Decent option to gradually restore Garbodor’s HP.
• Assault Vest – A hold item that raises SP. DEF but prevents the use of status moves.
  • Decent option for Garbodor to survive repeated hits from Special strikers.

 

 

 

STATS

 

80 95 82 60 82 75

 

 

 

MOVES

 

1. POISON Type STAB – Gunk Shot
   • Best POISON Type STAB for Garbodor. Best used in tandem with Dynamax and/or Gigantamax.
   • Dazzling Gleam hits both targets for decent damage.
2. Coverage – Drain Punch / Explosion / Seed Bomb / Stomping Tantrum / Thief
   • Drain Punch hits STEEL Type foes for super effective damage and restores HP. Can also be used as a base for Max Knuckle.
   • Explosion hits extremely hard and can be used for Garbodor to go out with a literal bang. Best used in tandem with Dynamax and/or Gigantamax.
   • Seed Bomb hits GROUND Type foes for super effective damage.
   • Stomping Tantrum hits STEEL Type foes for super effective damage and serves as a good base for Max Quake.
   • Thief hits PSYCHIC Type foes for super effective damage and steals the target’s Hold Item. Best used in tandem with Weakness Policy.
3. Utility – Acid Spray / Stockpile / Swallow
   • Acid Spray lowers the target’s SP. DEF by 2 stages.
   • Stockpile raises Garbodor’s DEFENSE and SP. DEF by 1 stage each up to three times. Useful for negating Weak Armor DEFENSE drops.
   • Swallow restores HP but must be used after Stockpile.
4. Filler – Protect
   • Protect helps to ward off a hit and scout for opposing intentions.

 

 

 

SAMPLE SET

 

Garbodor-Gmax @ Weakness Policy
Ability: Weak Armor
Level: 50
Adamant Nature
– Drain Punch
– Gunk Shot
– Protect
– Stomping Tantrum / Explosion / Seed Bomb / Thief

 

Speed Benchmarks:

132 Speed EVs -> Outspeed Charizard by 1 after Bulldoze + Weak Armor (+1 v +0)

180 Speed EVs -> Outspeed Terrakion by 1 after Bulldoze + Weak Armor (+1 v +0)

196 Speed EVs -> Outspeed Raichu by 2 after Bulldoze + Weak Armor (+1 v +0)

220 Speed EVs -> Outspeed Sneasel by 1 after Bulldoze + Weak Armor (+1 v +0)

252 Speed EVs -> Outspeed Inteleon by 1 after Bulldoze + Weak Armor (+1 v +0)

 

Damage Benchmarks:

+2 28+ Atk Garbodor Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Primarina (DYNAMAX): 374 (100%) – 444 (118.7%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 188+ Atk Garbodor Drain Punch vs. 212 HP / 244+ Def Ferrothorn: 88 (50%) – 104 (59%) — 67.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 196+ Atk Garbodor Gunk Shot vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Lapras: 208 (100.9%) – 246 (119.4%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 212+ Atk Garbodor Gunk Shot vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 177 (100.5%) – 208 (118.1%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 244+ Atk Garbodor Stomping Tantrum vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Dracozolt: 166 (100%) – 196 (118%) — guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Garbodor Gunk Shot vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Grimmsnarl through Reflect: 172 (85.1%) – 204 (100.9%) — 6.3% chance to OHKO

+2 0+ Atk Garbodor Max Quake (130 BP) vs. 164 HP / 4 Def Duraludon: 180 (108.4%) – 214 (128.9%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 0+ Atk Garbodor Max Ooze (95 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Grimmsnarl through Reflect: 212 (104.9%) – 249 (123.2%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 4+ Atk Garbodor Max Knuckle (90 BP) vs. 212 HP / 244+ Def Ferrothorn: 88 (50%) – 104 (59%) — 67.2% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+1 52+ Atk Garbodor Max Quake (130 BP) vs. 220 HP / 4 Def Arcanine: 194 (100.5%) – 230 (119.1%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 76+ Atk Garbodor Max Ooze (95 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Clefairy: 180 (101.6%) – 212 (119.7%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 100+ Atk Garbodor Max Ooze (95 BP) vs. 44 HP / 0 Def Sylveon (DYNAMAX): 354 (100.5%) – 416 (118.1%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 172+ Atk Garbodor Max Quake (130 BP) vs. 180 HP / 4 Def Coalossal (DYNAMAX): 416 (100%) – 492 (118.2%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 188+ Atk Garbodor Max Knuckle (90 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Lapras: 206 (100%) – 244 (118.4%) — guaranteed OHKO

188+ Atk Garbodor Max Ooze (95 BP) vs. 188 HP / 4 Def Comfey: 150 (100%) – 176 (117.3%) — guaranteed OHKO

+2 204+ Atk Garbodor Max Knuckle (90 BP) vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Urshifu: 176 (100.5%) – 208 (118.8%) — guaranteed OHKO

252+ Atk Garbodor Max Ooze (95 BP) vs. 252 HP / 0 Def Primarina: 186 (99.4%) – 218 (116.5%) — 87.5% chance to OHKO

+2 252+ Atk Garbodor Max Knuckle (90 BP) vs. 164 HP / 4 Def Duraludon: 160 (96.3%) – 190 (114.4%) — 81.3% chance to OHKO

+2 252+ Atk Garbodor Max Quake (130 BP) vs. 4 HP / 0 Def Dracozolt (DYNAMAX): 286 (86.1%) – 338 (101.8%) — 12.5% chance to OHKO

 

Defensive Benchmarks:

252+ Atk Life Orb Hustle Dracozolt Max Lightning (130 BP) vs. -1 252 HP / 92 Def Garbodor (DYNAMAX): 313 (83.6%) – 370 (98.9%) — guaranteed 2HKO

 

252 SpA Life Orb Adaptability Porygon-Z Hyper Beam vs. 44 HP / 0 SpD Garbodor (DYNAMAX): 270 (83.8%) – 320 (99.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO

 

 

 

TEAMMATES

 

Heliolisk

 

Of all the Bulldoze users, Heliolisk is arguably the best option on the faster end of the spectrum, since it has low Base Attack and an above average Base Speed. The latter is especially important when facing faster cores like Charizard, Porygon Z and/or Dracozolt.

 

Oranguru

 

Another useful Bulldoze setter for Garbodor is Oranguru, the only legal Pokemon with Symbiosis. The strategy is simple: Use Bulldoze to trigger Garbodor’s Weakness Policy, which then triggers Oranguru’s Symbiosis and passes Oranguru’s Hold Item to Garbodor. As a Trick Room setter, Oranguru can also provide the team with a solid Plan B to counter opposing Tailwind play.

 

Urshifu

 

Both forms of Urshifu work well with Garbodor since each form carries a super effective STAB against one of Garbodor’s Type Weaknesses. Single Strike Urshifu hits Psychic Type foes like Gothitelle while helping to chunk the Ghost Type foes that resist Garbodor’s sole STAB. Rapid Strike Urshifu, on the other hand, covers Ground Type foes like Mudsdale and Rhyperior, while not taking super effective damage from Durant’s STAB combination. Both forms come in handy against Steel Type threats like Ferrothorn and Duraludon, since they are immune to Poison Type moves.

 

 

 

CHECKS AND COUNTERS

 

Dusclops

 

The Trick Room that Dusclops sets up flips Garbodor’s Weak Armor advantages against it. Since it resists Max Ooze and Gunk Shot, there is not much that Garbodor can do to the Beckon Pokemon. Players could run the less used Stench to attempt a flinch, but it is situational at best and can be disrupted by redirection.

 

Talonflame

 

Tailwind is another problematic archetype for Garbodor, since it negates Weak Armor’s Speed advantages. Talonflame’s priority Tailwind, therefore, becomes particularly troublesome. It is immune to Bulldoze and can cripple the Trash Heap Pokemon if it lands a fast Will O Wisp. Its teammates could also benefit from the Tailwind boost and eliminate either Garbodor or its ally before the Weak Armor strategy can be executed.

 

Corviknight

 

Steel Type Pokemon pose as the other major roadblock to Garbodor, with Corviknight taking the spot here due to its good stance against Drain Punch and Stomping Tantrum. The Defense drop that Garbodor incurs for Weak Armor could cost it in the long run as it opens the Trash Heap Pokemon to a Max Airstream or Max Steelspike.

 

 

 

PUBLIC REPLAYS

NONE AT THE MOMENT

Galarian Weezing Analysis for Series 6 (VGC 2020)

“Long ago, during a time when droves of factories fouled the air with pollution, Weezing changed into this form for some reason.”

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

Strengths

• Neutralizing Gas
• Good Base DEFENSE
• Good Support Move Pool

Weaknesses

• Mediocre Damage Output
• 4 Move Slot Syndrome
• Somewhat Predictable

 

 

 

ABILITY

 

• Levitate – Not hit by GROUND attacks.
  • Decent option on its own but not optimal considering the better Ability(s) Galarian Weezing can have.
• Neutralizing Gas – If the Pokémon with Neutralizing Gas is in the battle, the effects of all Pokémon’s Abilities will be nullified or will not be triggered.
  • Main reason to use Galarian Weezing in VGC 2020. Fantastic to disrupt the foe’s plans.
• Misty Surge – Turns the ground into Misty Terrain when the Pokémon enters a battle.
  • Decent option on its own to nullify unwanted Status afflictions like Burn, Paralysis, and Sleep.

 

 

 

ITEM

 

• Black Sludge – A hold item that gradually restores the HP of POISON Type Pokémon. It inflicts damage on all other types.
  • Decent option to gradually restore Galarian Weezing’s HP.
• Sitrus Berry – A hold item that restores 25% HP in battle.
  • Decent option to extend Galarian Weezing’s longevity.
• Focus Sash – An item to be held by a Pokémon. If it has full HP, the holder will endure one potential KO attack, leaving 1 HP.
  • Decent option to ensure survival against a single powerful hit.

 

 

 

STATS

 

65 90 120 85 70 60

 

 

 

MOVES

 

1. FAIRY Type STAB – Strange Steam / Dazzling Gleam
   • Galarian Weezing’s signature move. Hits one target for decent damage with a chance to inflict confusion.
   • Dazzling Gleam hits both targets for decent damage.
2. POISON Type STAB – Sludge Bomb
   • Best POISON Type STAB for Galarian Weezing.
3. Coverage / Utility – Corrosive Gas / Haze / Heat Wave / Taunt
   • Corrosive Gas permanently nullifies the Hold Item of all other Pokemon on the battlefield without removing it. Can be useful at eliminating Choice Scarf, Assault Vest, and other Hold Items that can affect the team’s damage output.
   • Haze rids the foes of their boosts from Weakness Policy and/or Max Moves, as well as an ally’s nerfs from Intimidate and Snarl, and vice versa.
   • Heat Wave hits STEEL Type foes for super effective damage and avoids redirection.
   • Taunt helps prevent unwanted plays in the future, like Trick Room and redirection.
4. Filler – Protect
   • Protect helps to ward off a hit and scout for opposing intentions.

 

 

 

SAMPLE SET

 

Weezing-Galar @ Black Sludge
Ability: Neutralizing Gas
Level: 50
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
– Protect
– Sludge Bomb
– Strange Steam
– Taunt

 

Damage Benchmarks:

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Urshifu: 268 (153.1%) – 316 (180.5%) — guaranteed OHKO

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Heat Wave vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Durant: 164 (123.3%) – 196 (147.3%) — guaranteed OHKO

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 134 (76.1%) – 162 (92%) — guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Dracozolt: 120 (72.2%) – 144 (86.7%) — guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Dracovish: 108 (65%) – 128 (77.1%) — guaranteed 2HKO8

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Kingdra: 96 (64%) – 114 (76%) — guaranteed 2HKO    48TY]

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 0 HP / 4 SpD Terrakion: 98 (59%) – 116 (69.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 188 HP / 4 SpD Comfey: 84 (56%) – 102 (68%) — guaranteed 2HKO

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 44 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 72 (40.9%) – 86 (48.8%) — guaranteed 3HKO

4 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Grimmsnarl: 80 (39.6%) – 96 (47.5%) — guaranteed 3HKO

20 SpA Weezing-Galar Heat Wave vs. 212 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 88 (50%) – 104 (59%) — 62.5% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

124 SpA Weezing-Galar Heat Wave vs. 212 HP / 0 SpD Ferrothorn: 96 (54.5%) – 116 (65.9%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

188 SpA Weezing-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 44 HP / 0 SpD Sylveon: 90 (51.1%) – 108 (61.3%) — guaranteed 2HKO

220 SpA Weezing-Galar Sludge Bomb vs. 252 HP / 244+ SpD Grimmsnarl: 102 (50.4%) – 120 (59.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO

252 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Urshifu-Rapid-Strike: 174 (98.8%) – 206 (117%) — 93.8% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Weezing-Galar Strange Steam vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Dracozolt: 156 (93.9%) – 186 (112%) — 62.5% chance to OHKO

 

Defensive Benchmarks:

252+ Atk Life Orb Dracozolt Max Quake (130 BP) vs. 212 HP / 0+ Def Weezing-Galar: 140 (83.8%) – 166 (99.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252+ Atk Dracovish Fishious Rend (Doubled) vs. 252 HP / 0+ Def Weezing-Galar: 97 (56.3%) – 115 (66.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252 Atk Urshifu-Rapid-Strike Surging Strikes (3 hits) vs. 252 HP / 92+ Def Weezing-Galar on a critical hit: 72 (41.8%) – 84 (48.8%) — guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252 Atk Terrakion Max Rockfall (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 156+ Def Weezing-Galar: 76 (44.1%) – 90 (52.3%) — guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

 

4 SpA Arcanine Flamethrower vs. 124 HP / 0 SpD Weezing-Galar: 69 (44.2%) – 82 (52.5%) — guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252+ SpA Pixie Plate Sylveon Max Starfall (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 92 SpD Weezing-Galar: 76 (44.1%) – 90 (52.3%) — guaranteed 3HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252 SpA Life Orb Charizard Max Flare (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 140 SpD Weezing-Galar: 142 (82.5%) – 169 (98.2%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252+ SpA Life Orb Lapras Max Hailstorm (140 BP) vs. 252 HP / 140 SpD Weezing-Galar: 142 (82.5%) – 169 (98.2%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252+ SpA Primarina Max Geyser (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 188 SpD Weezing-Galar: 144 (83.7%) – 171 (99.4%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

0 SpA Gastrodon Max Quake (130 BP) vs. 252 HP / 196 SpD Weezing-Galar: 144 (83.7%) – 170 (98.8%) — guaranteed 2HKO after Black Sludge recovery

252 SpA Life Orb Charizard G Max Wildfire (150 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Weezing-Galar: 146 (84.8%) – 173 (100.5%) — 12.5% chance to OHKO

252 SpA Life Orb Charizard Max Quake (120 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252 SpD Weezing-Galar: 156 (90.6%) – 185 (107.5%) — 50% chance to OHKO

 

 

 

TEAMMATES

 

Arcanine

 

Neutralizing Gas suppresses the Ability of every Pokemon on the battlefield, which means that Galarian Weezing’s ally also suffers unless they happen to operate fine without their Ability(s). This is where Arcanine comes in handy. It is pretty fast naturally, with Snarl and Will O Wisp to quickly limit the foes’ damage output. Its Fire Type STAB is also important in smashing the Steel Type Pokemon that threaten the Poison Gas Pokemon. An interesting thing to note is that, since Intimidate is an entry trigger Ability, players can lead with Arcanine to set off the first Intimidate, then manually switch in Galarian Weezing to exert Neutralizing Gas. This can then be extrapolated to retrigger Intimidate when Galarian Weezing leaves the field.

 

Golisopod

 

Due to the dex restriction in VGC 2020, Golisopod becomes the best beneficiary of Neutralizing Gas, since Emergency Exit actually limits Golispod’s effectiveness. Neutralizing Gas also nullifies Storm Drain, which allows the Hard Scale Pokemon to fire off its WATER Type STAB safely. In return, Golisopod uses its STAB combination to crush the Psychic and/or Ground Type foes that hit Galarian Weezing for super effective damage.

 

Dracovish

 

Dracovish may lose Strong Jaw when Galarian Weezing is on the field, but Neutralizing Gas makes up for it by suppressing multiple shenanigans that would limit the power of Fishious Rend. This would include Prankster Sunny Day, Chlorophyll, Swift Swim, Steam Engine, all of which affect the foes’ Speed, as well as Storm Drain, which would have otherwise nullified Dracovish’s best attack.

 

 

 

CHECKS AND COUNTERS

 

Dusclops

 

While Galarian Weezing can learn Taunt, Neutralizing Gas does it no favors against redirection. Its signature Ability also doesn’t stop the traditional Bulldoze + Weakness Policy strategy that would see Galarian Weezing floored by the likes of Rhyperior. Dusclops carries both Trick Room and Bulldoze, as well as the likes of Night Shade and Ally Switch. Night Shade chips away at the Poison Gas Pokemon reliably, while Ally Switch can stave off unwanted shenanigans. Fortunately, Galarian Weezing does get Corrosive Gas to effectively half Dusclops’ bulk by ridding its Eviolite, or any incoming switches’ Weakness Policy.

 

Alolan Marowak

 

Unlike most threats in Series 6, Alolan Marowak draws its firepower from its Hold Item, which means that Neutralizing Gas doesn’t really affect it. Alolan Marowak resists Galarian Weezing’s STAB, as well as Heat Wave; while crushing in return with Bonemerang or Max Quake.

 

Cobalion / Duraludon

 

While Neutralizing Gas denies Justified Beat Up play, Cobalion is still strong enough on its own to crush the Poison Gas Pokemon thanks to its Steel Type STAB. Likewise, Duraludon isn’t particularly bothered about losing Stalwart when there are no redirection capabilities.

 

 

 

PUBLIC REPLAYS

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