“I love SubPunch Buzzwole” - Srn in 2016
I’ve been testing this team and I’ve found some moderate success with it (23-1), so I wanted to share it with the community to hear some thoughts.
The big man himself. Weak to a lot of special moves, flying types, fire types... but when he gets the opportunity to Substitute up, he can do work.
I attached Pelipper, as it naturally serves as an answer to fire types and the rain makes them even weaker overall. Also, it could get rid of hazards with Defog. Toxic Spikes are really annoying to Substitute Swole because it's just nice to sit behind a Substitute, heal, and nab kills while getting free boosts. When I realized that I was basically building a rain team, I added the big guns:
I chose my two favorite rain abusers. Mega Swampert also served as my way of getting up Stealth Rock, because it forces switches with its excellent typing. Specs Kingdra blew holes into teams that would allow my next addition to capitalize on.
Scarf Kartana is so fast, so strong. With rain up, it lives a few HP Fires that it doesn't deserve to. The grass coverage helps me in the mirror. After Kingdra and Swampert would soften up the enemy team, Kartana would easily clean up from there.
Z-Wild Charge Tapu Koko was my final addition to this six mon roster. A lot of things that are annoying to this team (Lead Smeargle, Trick Room leads, Suicide Rocks Leads, Lando-T lead) are stopped by a fast taunt. Z-Wild Charge allows me to break through some really fat mons like Chansey, M-Sableye, Clefable, and Magearna outside of Rain. Overall, a great lead in most matchups, but Pelipper is also a good lead just to get up rain.
Kingdra wasn't cutting it, in terms of what I wanted it to do. The more I tested it, the more underwhelming its results would be. With all the Ferrothorns running around, I was relying too much on Buzzwole to come in (often on Leech Seeds) and beat it. Also, since I already had Tapu Koko getting up Terrain, it just made sense to add Hawlucha. The more fighting spam, the better, they say.
With Hawlucha setting up for basically free all the time and cleaning up teams on its own, Kartana felt redundant. I added AV Magearna to sponge hits that Buzzwole couldn't (notably, Greninjas, Kokos). Being able to Volt Switch out for free 95% of the time into Pelipper to get up rain or Buzzwole for a Sub opportunity gave this team some good momentum (VoltTurnTurn <3)
The Lineup:
Beef (Buzzwole) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
The star of the show. With a Sub up, can easily net 2-3 kills. And with the meta as it is, I find many opportunities to Sub up with Swole.
0 SpA Toxapex Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Buzzwole: 87-103 (20.8 - 24.7%) -- guaranteed 5HKO
0 Atk Ferrothorn Gyro Ball (63 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Buzzwole: 49-58 (11.7 - 13.9%) -- possible 8HKO
0 Atk Landorus-Therian Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Buzzwole: 55-66 (13.1 - 15.8%) -- possible 7HKO
252 Atk Landorus-Therian Stone Edge vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Buzzwole: 89-105 (21.3 - 25.1%) -- 0% chance to 4HKO
Substitute provides protection from status and seeds (Ferro is annoying) and will often sponge up 2 hits for Buzzwole. It also lets Buzzwole throw out meteorically strong Focus Punches.
Focus Punch is the strongest Fighting move (150BP, if you don't know lol). Other Fighting type moves with Buzzwole come with notable downsides (Superpowers lowers your Atk/Def after each use, Hammer Arm lowers Spe, Drain Punch hits like a noodle [and Leftovers recovery is often enough for Buzzwole]).
Flyinium-Z Lando-T seems to be out of style, but the beast is still running around. Buzzwole can sponge up and of its hits and get up a free Sub. Depending on how bulky the Lando is and whether I am Intimidated or not, Ice Punch is a 2HKO or OHKO. Ice Punch is mandatory, even if it's mostly for just one mon, just because how prevalant Lando is in the meta.
Earthquake is a good general coverage. It hits Toxapex, Gengar, Victini, etc.. Usually, Focus Punch is the best move in nearly every scenario. Even when resisted, it does more damage than a neutral Earthquake (150BP*1.5STAB/2=112.5BP of a resisted Focus Punch, whereas EQ is just 100BP).
Wings (Pelipper) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 228 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- U-turn
- Roost
- Defog
The rain setter. The trend setter. This mon is Politoed with U-turn. Nothing really special about this spread. Apparently, according to Smogon "The given EV spread and nature allow Pelipper to tank a Supersonic Skystrike from Landorus-T and avoid the 2HKO from Choice Scarf Keldeo's Hydro Pump. Special defense investment also helps Pelipper comfortably U-turn out of Mega Charizard Y", so I guess that's good.
Scald burns things that lets the rest of the team sweep more easily. Rain being up makes Scald stronger, so that's neat.
U-turn is for momentum and what makes this mon significantly better than Politoed. The momentum gained from this mon that really should just be a weather setter is amazing.
Roost heals off damage, notably Rocks chip.
Defog gets rid of hazards. It's very good.
Fins (Swampert) @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
The abuser of Rain. Adamant is to hit as hard as possible, no notable scarfer can outspeed and ohko this mon, so you should be fine. Waterfall is the strongest move in Rain, EQ is the strongest move outside of Rain. Ice Punch is for weakened Grass mons (emphasis on weakened, because they usually can eat up one Ice Punch), Garchomp, and Zygarde. Mega Swampert, surprisingly, forces many switches, so it's basically free to get up Rocks. Even if they don't switch out, bulky boy over here can sponge a few hits (having only one weakness is nice), and generally, HP on this mon isn't that important unless you're against a team with a lot of priority.
Peck (Tapu Koko) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Wild Charge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt
- U-turn
When people switch into Tapu Koko, they typically expect the special set (ya know, Tbolt, that kinda garbage). Z-Wild Charge is my favorite set, ESPECIALLY on a Rain team.
252 Atk Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 244 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Chansey in Electric Terrain: 520-613 (74 - 87.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 252 HP / 252+ Def Clefable in Electric Terrain: 345-406 (87.5 - 103%) -- 18.8% chance to OHKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Magearna in Electric Terrain: 348-411 (95.8 - 113.2%) -- 75% chance to OHKO
252 Atk Tapu Koko Gigavolt Havoc (175 BP) vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Sableye-Mega in Electric Terrain: 322-379 (106.2 - 125%) -- guaranteed OHKO
What a powerhouse.
HP Ice is good for catching Koko's usually switch-ins.
4 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 204-240 (63.9 - 75.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
4 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 252 HP / 0 SpD Landorus-Therian: 204-240 (53.4 - 62.8%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 188 HP / 0 SpD Zygarde: 176-208 (43.5 - 51.4%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
4 SpA Tapu Koko Hidden Power Ice vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Zygarde: 176-208 (49.1 - 58.1%) -- 95.3% chance to 2HKO
Though it doesn't straight up ohko, Koko's speed usually allows for a simple reclick of the HP Ice button.
Taunt makes Koko a good choice against standard leads, preventing hazards from coming up. Against slower teams or stall, Taunt can straight up win games, preventing your opponent from setting up boosts or hazards against you.
U-turn is for momentum. Because this is a physically based Koko, it does even more damage than standard special Koko, so that's coo. Volt Switch is trash. Often, you can U-turn into Pelipper, to get up rain, or Hawlucha, to clean shop (or M-Swampert to nab a kill or two if Rain is still up).
Press (Hawlucha) @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 152 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Roost
Does having two Fighting mons count as Fighting spam? Hawlucha in Terrain is a menace. Electric Seed raising its defense gives it many opportunities to set up an SD. I gave it a few extra points in speed to outspeed all those copy pasters who just take Smogon spreads. After Unburden, this mons outspeeds everything in the world. Acrobatics + HJK as STABS are strong af, 2hkoing or ohkoing basically everything. SD is for the boosts, guaranteeing a flawless victory. Roost is nice because it allows Hawlucha to set up on weaker mons (Roosting off damage, SDing when you can).
This mon is so braindead it hurts.
Cog (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch
As Buzzwole eats physical hits, Magearna devours special hits. It's pretty much impossible to OHKO this thing on the special side, especially with Rain up (weakening Fire type moves). Spread is to maximize its defensive capability, as it is often used as a pivot, rather than a damage dealer. Fleur Cannon is Magearna's best STAB option, though there are rarely times I will go for it. Iron Head helps break through Clefable as its setting up Calm Minds. Hidden Power Fire is fine, because Kartana still dies.
Not in Rain: 8 SpA Magearna Hidden Power Fire vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana: 524-620 (201.5 - 238.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
In Rain: 8 SpA Magearna Hidden Power Fire vs. 4 HP / 0 SpD Kartana in Rain: 260-308 (100 - 118.4%) -- guaranteed OHKO
Volt Switch is more of that momentum. Because of the potential for Fleur Cannon to blast through a team, a lot of people just switch out. Volt Switch helps capitalize on that. Also, since Magearna is slow and bulky, it's okay if they stay in too. Magearna is fine with sponging hits to give you free momentum. Volt Switch is also good if you've weakened yourself by using Fleur Cannon. Whew, this mon is fantastic.
Threats:
Notable Replays:
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-734644543
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-727110096
https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen7ou-728416360 (this guy brought a Pineco and I thought that was hilarious)
Beef (Buzzwole) @ Leftovers
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Press (Hawlucha) @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 152 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Roost
Wings (Pelipper) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 228 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- U-turn
- Roost
- Defog
Fins (Swampert) @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
Peck (Tapu Koko) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Wild Charge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt
- U-turn
Cog (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch
Ability: Beast Boost
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Atk / 8 Def
Adamant Nature
- Substitute
- Focus Punch
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
Press (Hawlucha) @ Electric Seed
Ability: Unburden
EVs: 152 HP / 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 100 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Acrobatics
- Swords Dance
- High Jump Kick
- Roost
Wings (Pelipper) @ Damp Rock
Ability: Drizzle
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Def / 228 SpD
Bold Nature
- Scald
- U-turn
- Roost
- Defog
Fins (Swampert) @ Swampertite
Ability: Damp
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Waterfall
- Earthquake
- Ice Punch
- Stealth Rock
Peck (Tapu Koko) @ Electrium Z
Ability: Electric Surge
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpA / 252 Spe
Naive Nature
- Wild Charge
- Hidden Power [Ice]
- Taunt
- U-turn
Cog (Magearna) @ Assault Vest
Ability: Soul-Heart
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Fleur Cannon
- Iron Head
- Hidden Power [Fire]
- Volt Switch
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