PU Regirock

2xTheTap

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Taken over from iRebel

QC: Megazard / 2xTheTap / rwby
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / Fireflame479



[OVERVIEW]


Regirock's immense physical bulk and useful resistances to Normal-, Fire-, Flying-, and Poison-type attacks from common Pokemon such as Kangaskhan, Pyroar, Archeops, and Skuntank allow it many opportunities to cripple foes with Toxic or support its teammates by setting up Stealth Rock. Furthermore, given its access to Sunny Day and a useful ability in Sturdy that allows it to set up the move consistently, Regirock is adept in providing support to weather-based sweepers that are dependent on Chlorophyll being activated, making it an essential component of Sunny Day-based teams. Regirock is not without fault, however: its low Speed stat and weakness to ubiquitous Water-, Ground-, Grass-, and Fighting-type coverage moves leave it easily checked by offensive Pokemon like Floatzel, Golurk, Shiftry, and Hitmonchan. Additionally, its inherently passive nature as a defensive Stealth Rock setter means that it can be overly reliant on Toxic to deal significant damage to Pokemon that have a type advantage over Regirock like Gastrodon and Palossand. Regirock's lack of reliable recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards are detrimental to its longevity, which can in turn disallow Regirock to switch into the Pokemon that it is meant to check. Nevertheless, Regirock still holds a niche as one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier due to its excellent bulk and pure Rock typing.

[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Earthquake
move 4: Toxic / Protect
item: Leftovers
ability: Impish
nature: Sturdy / Clear Body
evs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========


Stealth Rock deals damage to opposing Pokemon as they switch in, thereby deactivating Sturdy and Focus Sash. Regirock is one of the best setters in the tier because its high Defense allows it to set it reliably, while its Rock typing is conducive to threatening common Defog users like Skuntank and Altaria. Regirock's STAB Stone Edge is its primary means of dealing damage, and it hits Ice-, Flying-, Fire-, and Bug-types super effectively. Most notably, it OHKOes Pokemon like Jynx, Oricorio-G, and Magmortar while scoring 2HKOs on Altaria and Pinsir. Earthquake provides Regirock with decent neutral coverage alongside Stone Edge and allows Regirock to hit Steel-, Poison-, Rock-, and Electric-types like Togedemaru, Alolan Dugtrio, Skuntank, and Aggron harder than Stone Edge. Toxic is used to cripple Regirock's regular switch-ins and places a timer on setup sweepers that might attempt to take advantage of Regirock's passive nature. Toxic is also Regirock's most reliable means of dealing significant damage to bulky Ground-types and other physically defensive Pokemon with recovery like Palossand, Gastrodon, and Gourgeist-XL. Given Regirock's lack of reliable recovery moves, Protect can be used over Toxic for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery. Additionally, Protect reduces the damage of incoming Z-Moves for Regirock and is particularly effective for scouting Choice-locked Pokemon, such as Pyroar and Stoutland.

Set Details
========


Sturdy is Regirock's ability of choice, as it prevents Regirock from being OHKOed from full HP and lets it lay Stealth Rock more consistently. Clear Body is a viable alternative to Sturdy for protecting Regirock against Special Defense drops from Skuntank's Acid Spray as well as the damage-reducing effects of Intimidate and Parting Shot. Leftovers gradually restores Regirock's HP over the course of battle and can be used in combination with Protect to provide Regirock with free turns of recovery. Alternatively, a Chople Berry can be used to reduce the damage of super effective Fighting-type moves, such as Primeape's Close Combat and Magmortar's Focus Blast. Maximum HP investment and a mixed EV spread allow Regirock to withstand a variety of both physical and special hits. 56 EVs in Defense along with an Impish nature prevent Regirock from being 2HKOed by Aggron's Choice Band-boosted Earthquake and reduce the chance Regirock will be 2HKOed by Primeape's unboosted Close Combat by roughly 80%. Additionally, Regirock has a high chance to survive Zangoose's Close Combat, even after tanking its high-powered Facade. Its remaining EVs are allocated toward its Special Defense, which helps Regirock avoid the 2HKO from Pyroar's Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Grass as well as the OHKO from Magmortar's Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast. A slightly more offensive EV spread with the same nature is an option: investing 104 EVs in Attack allows Regirock to OHKO threats like Pyroar, Mild Abomasnow, Lycanroc, and Turtonator while also scoring a 2HKO on Defense-invested Lanturn. It is possible to still avoid the 2HKO from Pyroar's Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Grass with this spread by maximizing its HP, allocating 140 EVs toward its Special Defense, and placing the remaining 16 EVs in Defense.

Usage Tips
========


Use Regirock's massive Defense stat and Rock typing to pivot into resisted attacks from Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Archeops, and physically offensive Skuntank in order to set up Stealth Rock. If Stealth Rock is already on the field, Regirock can use this opportunity to attack or to weaken its switch-ins with Toxic. Even with Special Defense investment, Regirock can still be overrun by powerful wallbreakers, including Choice Specs Drampa and Magmortar equipped with Life Orb or Fightinium Z, so it is best to either use Protect to ease prediction against these Pokemon or switch out altogether. It is generally good practice with Regirock to switch out of status moves, as effects like Toxic will severely reduce its longevity and consequently disallow Regirock to switch into the Pokemon that it was meant to check. Protect should be used when Regirock either has an opportunity to stall out foes afflicted with Toxic or is at risk of being KOed. However, be careful of using Protect too often, given its frequent use can supply Regirock's foes with free turns to set up and sweep or to lay entry hazards that would be detrimental to Regirock's longevity.

Team Options
========


In general, Regirock fits on balanced and bulky offensive teams and is effective in aiding sweepers and wallbreakers that function optimally with Stealth Rock support. For example, offensive partners that are able to pivot into and threaten Grass-types for Regirock by virtue of their typing or ability, like Magmortar and Drampa, perform at their peak when Stealth Rock is up. Additionally, these two are able to use Regirock's weakness to Grass-type moves to gain momentum and fire off powerful attacks. Other Pokemon that resist Grass-type moves for Regirock, like Lurantis and Altaria, remove entry hazards for it via Defog, which is crucial in preserving Regirock's longevity given its lack of reliable recovery. Skuntank in particular is effective in this capacity, as it absorbs Toxic Spikes for Regirock upon switching in. Checks to Ground-types share excellent synergy with Regirock; for example, Mesprit absorbs Ground-type moves via Levitate and checks troublesome Fighting-types like Passimian, Gurdurr, and Hitmonchan on Regirock's behalf. Depending on its set, Mesprit can either mitigate Regirock's lack of reliable recovery via Healing Wish or take advantage of foes that have been afflicted by Regirock's Toxic by setting up with Substitute and Calm Mind. Weezing is an exceptional partner, as it is also immune to Ground-type moves and therefore beats Pokemon that check or counter Regirock, like Golurk and Torterra. Weezing is also able to pivot into Fighting- and Grass-type moves for Regirock, which places it in prime position to lay Toxic Spikes. Regirock can in turn capitalize on Weezing's Toxic Spikes by stalling out its foes via Protect. Furthermore, Regirock can switch into many of the special attackers that would otherwise KO Weezing, like Pyroar and Oricorio-G. Given Regirock counters physically offensive Skuntank, Psychic-, Ghost-, and Grass-types that appreciate Skuntank's absence are ideal teammates. For example, Lilligant can set up freely with Quiver Dance once Skuntank has been dispatched as well as supply Regirock with Healing Wish support and refuge from Grass-, Water-, and Ground-types. Finally, Musharna operates similarly by switching into Fighting-types for Regirock, setting up with Calm Mind once Skuntank has been KOed by Regirock, and providing Regirock with Heal Bell or Healing Wish support.

[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Heat Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def


[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========


Regirock's main use is to set up Sunny Day, which activates Chlorophyll and boosts the power of Fire-type attacks by 1.5x for its teammates for eight turns when used together with Heat Rock. Regirock uses its substantial bulk and ability Sturdy to reliably set Stealth Rock, which damages switch-ins and facilitates a sweep for Pokemon reliant on Sunny Day. Explosion inflicts heavy damage on anything without a resistance to it while KOing Regirock in the process. Explosion's purpose is twofold: not only does Regirock KOing itself prevent Stealth Rock from being removed by slower users of Defog and Rapid Spin, but this also allows partners that take advantage of sun to enter battle safely. Regirock's Attack-invested STAB Stone Edge is effective for dealing with the Fire-, Bug-, Ice-, and Flying-types like Magmortar, Ninjask, Jynx, and Altaria that pose a threat to the Grass-types found on Sunny Day teams and can be utilized in matchups where it is better to preserve Regirock than to use Explosion.

Set Details
========


252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Regirock to do as much damage as possible with Stone Edge and Explosion before it is sacrificed in order to bring in a sun sweeper. Maximum HP investment supplies Regirock with the staying power necessary for setting up Stealth Rock and Sunny Day. Sturdy guarantees that Regirock will be able to set up either Stealth Rock or Sunny Day. Heat Rock increases the number of turns that Sunny Day is active from five to eight, thereby increasing the time sun sweepers are functioning at peak performance.

Usage Tips
========


Given that Sturdy is key to successfully setting up with Stealth Rock and Sunny Day, Regirock should be brought out early-game before the opponent can deactivate the ability via entry hazards. Switch Regirock out of Pokemon like Sableye and Weezing that can either burn it with Will-O-Wisp or prevent it from supporting its teammates via Taunt. The momentum Regirock's Explosion provides is conducive to bringing in frail Chlorophyll sweepers like Victreebel and Shiftry for free, and it is generally a more effective method than hard switching into resisted attacks for starting a sweep. Regirock should use Explosion on the turn immediately following Sunny Day in order to maximize the number of turns its teammates can operate with sun in play, unless Regirock should be kept alive to combat Normal- or Flying-types like Kangaskhan and Archeops. Kangaskhan in particular is important for sun teams to beat, as it wastes turns of Sunny Day via Fake Out. It can be advantageous to prioritize Sunny Day's use over Stealth Rock or vice versa; it is best to determine first whether the opposing team is weaker to sun sweepers or Stealth Rock and act accordingly. Sunny Day also has some defensive utility in matchups against offensive Water-types, as it reduces the damage of Water-type moves for Regirock and its Fire-type teammates.

Team Options
========


Sunny Day Regirock is intended to complement Chlorophyll-reliant sweepers and Fire-types that can use Sunny Day to maximum effect; therefore, this variant of Regirock only fits on dedicated sun-based teams. Fire-types like Turtonator, Pyroar, and Magmortar are most threatening when played in sun, as Sunny Day boosts the power of their STAB moves significantly. Additionally, Sunny Day effectively negates Pyroar's and Magmortar's weakness to Water-type attacks and enables the use of a single-turn Solar Beam against bulky Rock-types that would otherwise counter them, such as Carbink. In return, these Fire-types check Grass- and Steel-types for Regirock, such as Tangela and Ferroseed. Powerful Grass-type sweepers like Shiftry, Lilligant, Exeggutor, Victreebel, Sawsbuck, and Leafeon all capitalize on Regirock's Sunny Day by doubling their Speed via Chlorophyll, and they become much more difficult to revenge kill as a result. Additionally, Regirock further bolsters their effectiveness by laying Stealth Rock, which limits the number of times that opposing Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-types can pivot into these sweepers' Grass-type attacks. Given that Regirock uses Explosion after setting Sunny Day early-game, mid- to late-game setters of Sunny Day are required to provide sun-based teams with continued support. Prankster Volbeat and Liepard fulfill this role by setting up Sunny Day with priority. Volbeat in particular shares excellent synergy with Regirock due to its ability to pivot into Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type moves from Pokemon such as Lilligant, Alolan Dugtrio, and Hitmonchan. Lastly, Sunny Day setters with access to self-KOing moves like Memento and Healing Wish are useful partners to Regirock. For example, Alolan Dugtrio equipped with Sunny Day and Memento eases the setup of sun-based sweepers like Victreebel and Turtonator. Furthermore, it can use its STAB moves to threaten Pokemon that are problematic to sun-based teams, like Assault Vest Magmortar and Abomasnow. Mesprit is a beneficial partner to Regirock, as it can lend Sunny Day support to Chlorophyll users and Fire-types mid- to late-game and provides them with ample opportunities to set up via Healing Wish and its slow U-turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============


Regirock can run Thunder Wave over Toxic to potentially generate free turns of Leftovers recovery and decrease the Speed of faster attackers like Floatzel and Archeops, but doing so would leave Regirock without a means to damage its defensive answers like Gastrodon and Palossand. Seismic Toss is another alternative to Toxic that deals more consistent damage to Pokemon that wall Regirock's Rock-type moves and are immune to Toxic, like Ferroseed and Weezing, but such a tactic would be less effective against defensively inclined walls with access to reliable recovery. Regirock can utilize Curse, with or without Rest and Sleep Talk, to increase its physical bulk and offensive presence. If it is used in conjunction with Rest, Sleep Talk, and Rock Slide, a different Pokemon with access to Stealth Rock should be used alongside Regirock. Despite its lower Base Power, Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge for its increased accuracy and extra PP, which can come into play against Pokemon with the ability Pressure, such as Articuno. Other coverage moves like Drain Punch and Fire Punch are options over Earthquake for hitting Steel-types super effectively. Drain Punch supplies Regirock with another source of recovery, albeit a small one, and Fire Punch enables Regirock to 3HKO Ferroseed without Attack investment. Despite these benefits, Earthquake is still a superior choice for KOing Steel-types and Skuntank more efficiently. Normalium Z + Psych Up can be used to heal Regirock to full as well as potentially copy any stat boosts from its foes. However, this should only be an option if the rest of your Pokemon cannot fit a Z-Crystal optimally. Similarly, Rest can be used to restore Regirock's HP while reversing any status affliction, but a method to wake it up like Heal Bell support or Lum Berry is necessary for preventing Regirock from becoming too passive. Counter in combination with a Chople Berry allows Regirock to KO strong Fighting-type Pokemon like Passimian and Gurdurr; however, trading out Leftovers for a Chople Berry has a negative impact on Regirock's survivability in other matchups. Finally, Stomping Tantrum can be used over Earthquake on movesets with Protect: once Protect fails, the Base Power of Stomping Tantrum doubles, which in turn allows it to do more damage than Earthquake. This damage boost lets Regirock OHKO Steel-types like Aggron and Probopass; however, it is also contingent on spamming Protect, which is an unreliable strategy that can be easily capitalized on.

Checks and Counters
===================


**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types like Pyukumuku and Gastrodon only fear Toxic from Regirock and are able to outlast it thanks to their access to Recover. Offensively inclined Water-types like Kingler, Poliwrath, and Carracosta can tank any hit from Regirock and retaliate with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Lurantis and Ferroseed are able to take any attack that Regirock can dish out. Additionally, they're both able to use Regirock as setup fodder to boost their Special Attack via Contrary Leaf Storm or to set up multiple layers of entry hazards, respectively. Grass-type sweepers like Shiftry and Lilligant are able to threaten Regirock and force it to switch out, which grants them the opportunity to boost their offensive capabilities.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Palossand and Torterra take very little damage from Regirock's attacks, can restore any HP lost via their reliable recovery moves, and are able to 2HKO Regirock in return. However, they must be wary of being crippled by Toxic when switching into Regirock directly.

**Fighting-types**: Strong Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, Passimian, and Hitmonchan resist Regirock's STAB Stone Edge, and they are able to heal off any HP lost in the encounter via Drain Punch. Gurdurr in particular is able to capitalize on Regirock's attempts at spreading status by boosting its Attack via Guts.

**Special Wallbreakers**: Even with Regirock's Special Defense investment, strong specially offensive wallbreakers like Choice Specs Drampa, Fightinium Z Alolan Raichu, and Magmortar are able to break through its defenses with a boosted Focus Blast.

**Faster Taunt Users**: Sableye and Weezing can prevent Regirock from setting up Stealth Rock or Sunny Day for its teammates or from using Toxic in Sableye's case. Furthermore, both Sableye and Weezing have enough Defense to switch into Regirock directly and burn it on the following turn with Will-O-Wisp.

**Residual Damage**: Given Regirock's lack of reliable recovery, passive sources of damage like Toxic and entry hazards can limit its ability to pivot into attacks for its teammates.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

2xTheTap

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Still working on this; basically writing it up from scratch to written, as the meta has changed a fair bit since this was started, but feel free to reassign at weekend if there isn't satisfactory progress by then.

2x EDIT: calcs for alternative EV spread for reference:

Defensive:
248 HP / 140 SpD turn Specs Pyroar's HP Grass into a 3HKO (252 SpA Choice Specs Pyroar Hidden Power Grass vs. 248 HP / 140 SpD Regirock: 152-180 (41.8 - 49.5%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Leftovers recovery)


Offensive:
104 Atk Regirock Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Pyroar: 314-372 (100.3 - 118.8%) -- guaranteed OHKO


104 Atk Regirock Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0- Def Abomasnow: 338-398 (105.2 - 123.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO

104 Atk Regirock Earthquake vs. 40 HP / 140 Def Lanturn: 202-238 (50.3 - 59.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

104 Atk Regirock Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Lycanroc: 226-268 (77.6 - 92%) -- 31.3% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

(Clear Body) 104 Atk Regirock Earthquake vs. 248 HP / 8 Def Qwilfish: 180-214 (54 - 64.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Black Sludge recovery

(Clear Body) 104 Atk Regirock Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Arbok: 214-254 (81.9 - 97.3%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock

104 Atk Regirock Stone Edge vs. 0 HP / 0 Def Turtonator: 186-218 (71.2 - 83.5%) -- 62.5% chance to OHKO after Stealth Rock
 
Last edited:

yogi

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Read over this three times and it's basically perfect from my point of view. Great work. QC 3/3.
 

Lumari

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quick GP 1/2 cuz tired but was told this was high prio
[OVERVIEW]

Regirock's immense physical bulk and useful resistances to Normal-, Fire-, Flying-, and Poison-type attacks from common Pokemon such as Kangaskhan, Pyroar, Archeops, and Skuntank allow it many opportunities to cripple its foes with Toxic or to support its teammates by setting up Stealth Rock. Furthermore, given its access to Sunny Day and a useful ability in Sturdy that allows it to set up the move consistently, Regirock is adept in providing support to weather-based sweepers that are dependent on Chlorophyll being activated, and is therefore making it an essential component of Sunny Day-based teams. Regirock is not without fault, however: its low Speed stat and weakness to ubiquitous Water-, Ground-, Grass-, and Fighting-type coverage moves leavesleave it easily checked by offensive Pokemon like Floatzel, Golurk, Shiftry, and Hitmonchan. Additionally, its inherently passive nature as a defensive Stealth Rock setter means that it can be overly reliant on Toxic to deal significant damage to Pokemon that have a type advantage over Regirock (RC) like Gastrodon or and Palossand. Regirock's lack of reliable recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards are detrimental to its longevity, which can in turn disallow Regirock to switch into the Pokemon that it is meant to check. Nevertheless, Regirock still holds a niche as one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier due to its excellent bulk and pure Rock-typing.

[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Toxic / Protect
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Impish
nature: Sturdy / Clear Body
evs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stealth Rock deals damage to opposing Pokemon upon switching as they switch in, thereby deactivating Sturdy and Focus Sashes. Regirock is one of the best setters in the tier because its high Defense allows it to set it reliably, while its Rock typing (RH) is conducive to threatening common Defog users like Skuntank and Altaria. Regirock's STAB Stone Edge is its primary means of dealing damage, and it hits Ice-, Flying-, Fire-, and Bug-types super effectively. Most notably, it OHKOes Pokemon like Jynx, Oricorio-G, and Magmortar without Attack investment (RC) while scoring 2HKOs on Altaria and Pinsir. Earthquake provides Regirock with decent neutral coverage alongside Stone Edge (RC) and allows Regirock to hit Steel-, Poison-, Rock-, and Electric-types like Togedemaru, Alolan Dugtrio, Skuntank, and Aggron harder than Stone Edge. Toxic is used to cripple Regirock's regular switch-ins (RC) and places a timer on setup sweepers that might attempt to take advantage of Regirock's passive nature. Toxic is also Regirock's most reliable means of dealing significant damage to bulky Ground-types and other physically defensive Pokemon with recovery (RC) like Palossand, Gastrodon, and Gourgeist-XL. Given Regirock's lack of reliable HP restoring recovery moves, Protect can be used over Toxic for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery. Additionally, Protect reduces the damage of incoming Z moves Z-Moves for Regirock (RC) and is particularly effective for scouting against Choice-locked Pokemon, such as Pyroar and Stoutland.

Set Details
========

Sturdy is Regirock's ability of choice, as it prevents Regirock from being OHKOed from full HP and lets it lay Stealth Rock more consistently. Clear Body is a viable alternative to Sturdy for protecting Regirock against Special Defense drops from Skuntank's Acid Spray as well as damage-reducing (AH) effects of Intimidate and Parting Shot. Leftovers gradually restores Regirock's HP over the course of battle and can be used in combination with Protect to provide Regirock with another turn of Leftovers free turns of recovery. Alternatively, a Chople Berry can be used in place of Leftovers to reduce the damage of super effective Fighting-type moves, like such as Primeape's Close Combat or and Magmortar's Focus Blast. Maximum HP investment and a mixed EV spread allow Regirock to withstand a variety of both physical and special hits from both the physical and special ends of the spectrum. 56 EVs in Defense along with an Impish nature yield an extra point of Defense, and this level of investment prevents prevent Regirock from being 2HKOed by Aggron's Choice Band-boosted Earthquake and reduces reduce the chance Regirock will be 2HKOed by Primeape's unboosted Close Combat by roughly 80%. Additionally, Regirock has a high chance to live through Zangoose's Close Combat, even after tanking its high-powered Facade. Its remaining EVs are allocated toward its Special Defense, which helps Regirock avoid the 2HKO from Pyroar's Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Grass as well as the OHKO from Magmortar's Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast. A slightly more offensive EV spread with the same nature is an option: investing 104 EVs in Attack allows Regirock to OHKO threats like Pyroar, Mild Abomasnow, Lycanroc, and Turtonator (RC) while also scoring 2HKOs on Defense-invested Lanturn and Jolly Qwilfish. It is possible to still avoid the 2HKO from Pyroar's Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Grass with this spread by maximizing its HP, allocating 140 EVs toward its Special Defense, and placing the remaining 16 EVs in Defense.

Usage Tips
========

Use Regirock's massive Defense stat and Rock-typing to pivot into resisted attacks from Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Archeops, and physically offensive Skuntank in order to set up Stealth Rock. If Stealth Rock is already on the field, Regirock can use this opportunity to attack or to weaken its switch-ins with Toxic. Even with Special Defense investment, Regirock can still be overrun by powerful wallbreakers including Choice Specs Drampa or and Magmortar equipped with Life Orb or Fightinium Z, so it is best to either use Protect to ease prediction against these Pokemon or to switch out altogether. It is generally good practice with Regirock to switch out of status moves, as effects like Toxic will severely reduce its longevity and consequently disallow Regirock to switch into the Pokemon that it was meant to check. Protect should be used when Regirock either has an opportunity to stall out foes afflicted with Toxic (RC) or when it is at risk of being KOed. However, be careful of using Protect too often, (AC) given its frequent use can supply Regirock's foes with free turns to set up and sweep (RC) or to lay entry hazards that would be detrimental to Regirock's longevity.

Team Options
========

In general, Regirock fits on balanced and bulky offensive teams and is effective in aiding sweepers and wallbreakers that function optimally with Stealth Rock support. For example, offensive partners that are able to pivot into and threaten Grass-types for Regirock by virtue of their typing or ability, like Magmortar and Drampa, perform at their peak when Stealth Rock is up. Additionally, these two are able to use Regirock's weakness to Grass-type moves to gain momentum and fire off powerful attacks. Other Pokemon that resist Grass-type moves for Regirock, like Servine and Altaria, remove entry hazards for it via Defog, which is crucial in preserving Regirock given its lack of reliable recovery. Skuntank in particular is effective in this capacity, as it absorbs Toxic Spikes for Regirock upon switching in. Checks to Ground-types share excellent synergy with Regirock; for example, Mesprit absorbs Ground-type moves via Levitate and checks troublesome Fighting-types like Passimian, Gurdurr, and Hitmonchan on Regirock's behalf. Depending on its set, Mesprit can either mitigate Regirock's lack of reliable recovery via Healing Wish (RC) or take advantage of foes that have been afflicted by Regirock's Toxic by setting up with Substitute and Calm Mind. Weezing is an exceptional partner, as it is also immune to Ground-type moves and therefore beats Pokemon that check or counter Regirock, like Golurk or and Torterra. Weezing is also able to pivot into Fighting- and Grass-type moves for Regirock, which places it in prime position to lay Toxic Spikes. Regirock can in turn capitalize on Weezing's Toxic Spikes by stalling out its foes via Protect. Furthermore, Regirock can switch into many of the special attackers that would otherwise KO Weezing, like Pyroar and Oricorio-G. Given Regirock counters physically offensive Skuntank, Psychic-, Ghost-, and Grass-types that appreciate Skuntank's absence are ideal teammates. For example, Lilligant can set up freely with Quiver Dance once Skuntank has been dispatched (RC) as well as supply Regirock with Healing Wish support and refuge from Grass-, Water-, and Ground-types. Finally, Musharna operates similarly by switching into Fighting-types for Regirock, setting up with Calm Mind once Skuntank has been KOed by Regirock, and providing Regirock with Heal Bell or Healing Wish support.

[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Heat Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Regirock's main use is to set up Sunny Day, which activates Chlorophyll and boosts the power of Fire-type attacks by x1.5 for its teammates for eight turns when used together with Heat Rock. Regirock uses its substantial bulk and ability Sturdy to reliably set Stealth Rock, which damages switch-ins and facilitates a sweep for Pokemon reliant on Sunny Day. The residual damage from Stealth Rock helps score as many KOs as possible while Sunny Day is in effect. (repeated) Explosion inflicts heavy damage on anything without a resistance to it (RC) while fainting KOing Regirock in the process. Explosion's purpose is twofold: not only does Regirock KOing itself prevent Stealth Rock from being removed by slower users of Defog and Rapid Spin, but this also allows partners that take advantage of sun to enter battle safely. Regirock's STAB and Attack-invested Stone Edge is effective for dealing with the Fire-, Bug-, Ice- and Flying-types that pose a threat to the Grass-types found on Sunny Day teams, like Magmortar, Ninjask, Jynx, and Altaria, and can be utilized in match-ups matchups where it is better to preserve Regirock than to use Explosion.

Set Details
========

252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Regirock to do as much damage as possible with Stone Edge and Explosion before it is sacrificed in order to bring in a sun sweeper. Maximum HP investment supplies Regirock with the staying power necessary for setting up Stealth Rock and Sunny Day. Sturdy guarantees that Regirock will be able to set up either Stealth Rock or Sunny Day by preventing it from being KOed when at full health. Heat Rock increases the number of turns that Sunny Day is active from five to eight, thereby increasing the time sun abusers sweepers are functioning at peak performance.

Usage Tips
========

Given that Sturdy is key to successfully setting up with Stealth Rock and Sunny Day, Regirock should be brought out early-game before the opponent can deactivate Regirock's Sturdy the ability via entry hazards. Switch Regirock out of Pokemon like Sableye and Weezing that can either burn it with Will-O-Wisp (RC) or prevent it from supporting its teammates via Taunt. The momentum Regirock's Explosion provides is conducive to bringing in frail Chlorophyll sweepers like Victreebel and Shiftry for free, and it is generally a more effective method than hard switching (RH) into resisted attacks for starting a sweep. Regirock should use Explosion on the turn immediately following Sunny Day in order to maximize the number of turns its teammates can operate with Sunny Day sun in play, unless Regirock should be kept alive to combat Normal- or Flying-types like Kangaskhan and Archeops. Kangaskhan in particular is important for sun teams to beat, as it wastes turns of Sunny Day via Fake Out. It can be advantageous to prioritize Sunny Day's use over Stealth Rock, or vice versa; it is best to determine first whether the opposing team is weaker to sun abusers sweepers or Stealth Rock (RC) and then act accordingly. Sunny Day also has some defensive utility in match-ups matchups against offensive Water-types, as it reduces the damage of Water-type moves for Regirock and its Fire-type teammates.

Team Options
========

Sunny Day Regirock is intended to complement Chlorophyll-reliant sweepers and Fire-types that can use Sunny Day to maximum effect; therefore, this variant of Regirock only fits on dedicated sun-based teams. Fire-types like Turtonator, Pyroar, and Magmortar are most threatening when played in sun, as Sunny Day boosts the power of their Fire-type STAB moves significantly. Additionally, Sunny Day effectively negates Pyroar's and Magmortar's weakness to Water-type attacks (RC) and enables the use of a single-turn Solar Beam against bulky Rock-types that would otherwise counter them, such as Carbink. In return, these Fire-types check Grass- and Steel-types for Regirock, like such as Tangela and Silvally-Steel. Powerful Grass-type sweepers like Shiftry, Lilligant, Exeggutor, Victreebel, Sawsbuck, and Leafeon all capitalize on Regirock's Sunny Day by doubling their Speed via Chlorophyll, and they become much more difficult to revenge KO as a result. Additionally, Regirock further bolsters their effectiveness by laying Stealth Rock, which limits the number of times that opposing Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-types can pivot into these sweepers' Grass-type attacks. Given that Regirock uses Explosion after setting Sunny Day early-game, mid- to late-game setters of Sunny Day are required to provide sun-based teams with continued support. Prankster Volbeat and Liepard fulfill this role by setting up Sunny Day with priority. Volbeat in particular shares excellent synergy with Regirock due to its ability to pivot into Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type moves from Pokemon such as Lilligant, Alolan Dugtrio, and Hitmonchan. Lastly, Sunny Day setters with access to self-KOing moves like Memento and Healing Wish are useful partners to Regirock. For example, Alolan Dugtrio equipped with Sunny Day and Memento eases the setup of sun-based sweepers (RC) like Victreebel and Turtonator. Furthermore, Alolan Dugtrio it can use its dual STAB moves to threaten Pokemon that are problematic to sun-based teams, like Assault Vest Magmortar and Abomasnow. Mesprit is a beneficial partner to Regirock, as it can lend Sunny Day support to Chlorophyll users and Fire-types mid- to late-game (RC) and provides them with ample opportunities to setup set up via Healing Wish and its slow U-turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Regirock can optionally run Thunder Wave over Toxic to potentially generate free turns of Leftovers recovery and decrease the Speed of faster attackers like Floatzel or Archeops, but doing so would leave Regirock without a means to damage its defensive answers like Gastrodon or and Palossand. Seismic Toss is another alternative to Toxic that deals more consistent damage to Pokemon that wall its Regirock's Rock-type moves and are immune to Toxic, like Ferroseed and Weezing, but such a tactic would be less effective against defensively inclined (RH) walls with access to reliable recovery. Regirock can utilize Curse, with or without Rest and Sleep Talk, to increase its physical bulk and offensive presence. If it is used in conjunction with Rest, Sleep Talk, and Rock Slide, then a different Pokemon with access to Stealth Rock should be used alongside Curse Regirock. Despite its lower Base Power, Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge for its increased accuracy and extra PP, which can come into play against Pokemon with the ability Pressure, like such as Articuno. Other coverage moves like Drain Punch and Fire Punch are possible moves options over Earthquake for hitting Steel-types super effectively. Drain Punch supplies Regirock with another source of recovery, albeit a small one, and Fire Punch enables Regirock to 3HKO Ferroseed without Attack investment. Despite these benefits, Earthquake is still a superior choice for KOing Steel-types and Skuntank more efficiently. Normalium Z + Psych Up can be used to heal Regirock to full (RC) as well as potentially copy any stat boosts from its foes. However, this should only be an option if the rest of your Pokemon cannot fit a Z-Crystal (AH) optimally. Similarly, Rest can be used to restore its Regirock's HP while reversing any status affliction, but a method to wake it up from Rest like Heal Bell support or a Lum Berry is necessary for preventing Regirock from becoming too passive. Counter in combination with a Chople Berry allows Regirock to KO strong Fighting-type Pokemon like Passimian and Gurdurr; (SC) however, trading out Leftovers for a Chople Berry has a negative impact on Regirock's survivability across in other match-ups matchups. Finally, Stomping Tantrum is able to can be used over Earthquake on movesets with Protect: once Protect fails, the base power of Stomping Tantrum doubles, which in turn allows it to do more damage than Earthquake. This damage boost lets Regirock OHKO Steel-types like Aggron and Probopass; (SC) however, it is also contingent on spamming Protect, which is an unreliable strategy that can be easily capitalized on.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types like Pyukumuku and Gastrodon only fear Toxic from Regirock RC) and are able to outlast it thanks to their access to Recover. Offensively inclined Water-types like Kingler, Poliwrath, and Carracosta can tank any hit from Regirock (RC) and retaliate with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Lurantis and Ferroseed are able to field take any attack Regirock that can dish out. Additionally, they're both able to use Regirock as setup fodder to boost their Special Attack via Contrary Leaf Storm or to set up multiple layers of entry hazards, respectively. Grass-type sweepers like Shiftry and Lilligant are able to threaten Regirock and force it to switch out, which grants them the opportunity to boost their offensive capabilities.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Palossand and Torterra take very little damage from Regirock's attacks, can restore any HP lost via their reliable recovery moves, and are able to 2HKO Regirock in return. However, they must be wary of being crippled by Toxic when switching into Regirock directly.

**Fighting-types**: Strong Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, Passimian, and Hitmonchan resist Regirock's STAB Stone Edge, while and they are able to heal off any HP lost in the encounter via Drain Punch. Gurdurr in particular is able to capitalize on Regirock's attempts at spreading status by boosting its Attack via Guts.

**Special Wallbreakers**: Even with Regirock's Special Defense investment, strong specially offensive wallbreakers like Choice Specs Drampa, Fightinium Z Alolan Raichu, (AC) and Magmortar are able to break through Regirock's its defenses with a boosted Focus Blast.

**Faster Taunt Users**: Sableye and Weezing can prevent Regirock from setting up Stealth Rock or Sunny Day for its teammates (RC) or from using Toxic in Sableye's case. Furthermore, both Sableye and Weezing have enough Defense to switch into Regirock directly and burn it on the following turn with Will-O-Wisp.

**Residual Damage**: Given Regirock's lack of reliable recovery, passive sources of damage like Toxic and entry hazards can limit Regirock's its ability to pivot into attacks for its teammates.
 

Fireflame

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[OVERVIEW]

Regirock’s Regirock's immense physical bulk and useful resistances to Normal-, Fire-, Flying-, and Poison-type attacks from common Pokemon such as Kangaskhan, Pyroar, Archeops, and Skuntank allow it many opportunities to cripple its foes with Toxic or to support its teammates by setting up Stealth Rock. Furthermore, given its access to Sunny Day and a useful ability in Sturdy that allows it to set up the move consistently, Regirock is adept in providing support to weather-based sweepers that are dependent on Chlorophyll being activated, making it an essential component of Sunny Day-based teams. Regirock is not without fault,(RC) however: its However,(AC) Regirock's low Speed stat and weakness to ubiquitous Water-, Ground-, Grass-, and Fighting-type coverage moves leave it easily checked by offensive Pokemon like Floatzel, Golurk, Shiftry, and Hitmonchan. Additionally, its inherently passive nature as a defensive Stealth Rock setter means that it can be overly reliant on Toxic to deal significant damage to Pokemon that have a type advantage over Regirock like Gastrodon and Palossand. Regirock’s Regirock's lack of reliable recovery and vulnerability to entry hazards are detrimental to its longevity, which can in turn disallow Regirock to switch into the Pokemon that it is meant to check. Nevertheless, Regirock still holds a niche as one of the best Stealth Rock setters in the tier due to its excellent bulk and pure Rock-(RH)typing.

[SET]
name: Stealth Rock
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Stone Edge
move 3: Toxic / Protect
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Impish
nature: Sturdy / Clear Body
evs: 252 HP / 56 Def / 200 SpD

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Stealth Rock deals damage to opposing Pokemon as they switch in, thereby deactivating Sturdy and Focus Sashes Sash. Regirock is one of the best setters in the tier because its high Defense allows it to set it reliably, while its Rock typing is conducive to threatening common Defog users like Skuntank and Altaria. Regirock's STAB Stone Edge is its primary means of dealing damage, and it hits Ice-, Flying-, Fire-, and Bug-types super effectively. Most notably, it OHKOes Pokemon like Jynx, Oricorio-G, and Magmortar without Attack investment while scoring 2HKOs on Altaria and Pinsir. Earthquake provides Regirock with decent neutral coverage alongside Stone Edge,(RC) and allows Regirock to hit Steel-, Poison-, Rock-, and Electric-types like Togedemaru, Alolan Dugtrio, Skuntank, and Aggron harder than Stone Edge. Toxic is used to cripple Regirock's regular switch-ins and places a timer on setup sweepers that might attempt to take advantage of Regirock's passive nature. Toxic is also Regirock's most reliable means of dealing significant damage to bulky Ground-types and other physically defensive Pokemon with recovery like Palossand, Gastrodon, and Gourgeist-XL. Given Regirock's lack of reliable recovery moves, Protect can be used over Toxic for an extra turn of Leftovers recovery. Additionally, Protect reduces the damage of incoming Z-Moves for Regirock and is particularly effective for scouting against Choice-locked Pokemon, such as Pyroar and Stoutland.

Set Details
========

Sturdy is Regirock's ability of choice, as it prevents Regirock from being OHKOed from full HP and lets it lay Stealth Rock more consistently. Clear Body is a viable alternative to Sturdy for protecting Regirock against Special Defense drops from Skuntank's Acid Spray as well as the damage-reducing effects of Intimidate and Parting Shot. Leftovers gradually restores Regirock's HP over the course of battle and can be used in combination with Protect to provide Regirock with free turns of recovery. Alternatively, a Chople Berry can be used in place of Leftovers to reduce the damage of super effective Fighting-type moves, such as Primeape's Close Combat and Magmortar's Focus Blast. Maximum HP investment and a mixed EV spread allow Regirock to withstand a variety of both physical and special hits. 56 EVs in Defense along with an Impish nature prevent Regirock from being 2HKOed by Aggron's Choice Band-boosted Earthquake and reduce the chance Regirock will be 2HKOed by Primeape's unboosted Close Combat by roughly 80%. Additionally, Regirock has a high chance to live through survive Zangoose's Close Combat, even after tanking its high-powered Facade. Its remaining EVs are allocated toward its Special Defense, which helps Regirock avoid the 2HKO from Pyroar's Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Grass as well as the OHKO from Magmortar's Life Orb-boosted Focus Blast. A slightly more offensive EV spread with the same nature is an option: investing 104 EVs in Attack allows Regirock to OHKO threats like Pyroar, Mild Abomasnow, Lycanroc, and Turtonator while also scoring a 2HKO on Defense-invested Lanturn. It is possible to still avoid the 2HKO from Pyroar's Choice Specs-boosted Hidden Power Grass with this spread by maximizing its HP, allocating 140 EVs toward its Special Defense, and placing the remaining 16 EVs in Defense.

Usage Tips
========

Use Regirock's massive Defense stat and Rock-(RH)typing to pivot into resisted attacks from Pokemon like Kangaskhan, Archeops, and physically offensive Skuntank in order to set up Stealth Rock. If Stealth Rock is already on the field, Regirock can use this opportunity to attack or to weaken its switch-ins with Toxic. Even with Special Defense investment, Regirock can still be overrun by powerful wallbreakers,(AC) including Choice Specs Drampa and Magmortar equipped with Life Orb or Fightinium Z, so it is best to either use Protect to ease prediction against these Pokemon or switch out altogether. It is generally good practice with Regirock to switch out of status moves, as effects like Toxic will severely reduce its longevity and consequently disallow Regirock to switch into the Pokemon that it was meant to check. Protect should be used when Regirock either has an opportunity to stall out foes afflicted with Toxic or is at risk of being KOed. However, be careful of using Protect too often, given its frequent use can supply Regirock's foes with free turns to set up and sweep or to lay entry hazards that would be detrimental to Regirock's longevity.

Team Options
========

In general, Regirock fits on balanced and bulky offensive teams and is effective in aiding sweepers and wallbreakers that function optimally with Stealth Rock support. For example, offensive partners that are able to pivot into and threaten Grass-types for Regirock by virtue of their typing or ability, like Magmortar and Drampa, perform at their peak when Stealth Rock is up. Additionally, these two are able to use Regirock's weakness to Grass-type moves to gain momentum and fire off powerful attacks. Other Pokemon that resist Grass-type moves for Regirock, like Servine and Altaria, remove entry hazards for it via Defog, which is crucial in preserving Regirock's longevity given its lack of reliable recovery. Skuntank in particular is effective in this capacity, as it absorbs Toxic Spikes for Regirock upon switching in. Checks to Ground-types share excellent synergy with Regirock; for example, Mesprit absorbs Ground-type moves via Levitate and checks troublesome Fighting-types like Passimian, Gurdurr, and Hitmonchan on Regirock's behalf. Depending on its set, Mesprit can either mitigate Regirock's lack of reliable recovery via Healing Wish or take advantage of foes that have been afflicted by Regirock's Toxic by setting up with Substitute and Calm Mind. Weezing is an exceptional partner, as it is also immune to Ground-type moves and therefore beats Pokemon that check or counter Regirock, like Golurk and Torterra. Weezing is also able to pivot into Fighting- and Grass-type moves for Regirock, which places it in prime position to lay Toxic Spikes. Regirock can in turn capitalize on Weezing's Toxic Spikes by stalling out its foes via Protect. Furthermore, Regirock can switch into many of the special attackers that would otherwise KO Weezing, like Pyroar and Oricorio-G. Given Regirock counters physically offensive Skuntank, Psychic-, Ghost-, and Grass-types that appreciate Skuntank's absence are ideal teammates. For example, Lilligant can set up freely with Quiver Dance once Skuntank has been dispatched as well as supply Regirock with Healing Wish support and refuge from Grass-, Water-, and Ground-types. Finally, Musharna operates similarly by switching into Fighting-types for Regirock, setting up with Calm Mind once Skuntank has been KOed by Regirock, and providing Regirock with Heal Bell or Healing Wish support.

[SET]
name: Sunny Day
move 1: Sunny Day
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Explosion
move 4: Stone Edge
item: Heat Rock
ability: Sturdy
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 4 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========

Regirock's main use is to set up Sunny Day, which activates Chlorophyll and boosts the power of Fire-type attacks by x1.5 1.5x for its teammates for eight turns when used together with Heat Rock. Regirock uses its substantial bulk and ability Sturdy to reliably set Stealth Rock, which damages switch-ins and facilitates a sweep for Pokemon reliant on Sunny Day. Explosion inflicts heavy damage on anything without a resistance to it while KOing Regirock in the process. Explosion's purpose is twofold: not only does Regirock KOing itself prevent Stealth Rock from being removed by slower users of Defog and Rapid Spin, but this also allows partners that take advantage of sun to enter battle safely. Regirock's STAB and Attack-invested STAB Stone Edge is effective for dealing with the Fire-, Bug-, Ice-,(AC) and Flying-types like Magmortar, Ninjask, Jynx, and Altaria that pose a threat to the Grass-types found on Sunny Day teams,(RC) like Magmortar, Ninjask, Jynx, and Altaria,(RC) (avoid confusion) and can be utilized in matchups where it is better to preserve Regirock than to use Explosion.

Set Details
========

252 Attack EVs with an Adamant nature allow Regirock to do as much damage as possible with Stone Edge and Explosion before it is sacrificed in order to bring in a sun sweeper. Maximum HP investment supplies Regirock with the staying power necessary for setting up Stealth Rock and Sunny Day. Sturdy guarantees that Regirock will be able to set up either Stealth Rock or Sunny Day. Heat Rock increases the number of turns that Sunny Day is active from five to eight, thereby increasing the time sun sweepers are functioning at peak performance.

Usage Tips
========

Given that Sturdy is key to successfully setting up with Stealth Rock and Sunny Day, Regirock should be brought out early-game before the opponent can deactivate the ability via entry hazards. Switch Regirock out of Pokemon like Sableye and Weezing that can either burn it with Will-O-Wisp or prevent it from supporting its teammates via Taunt. The momentum Regirock's Explosion provides is conducive to bringing in frail Chlorophyll sweepers like Victreebel and Shiftry for free, and it is generally a more effective method than hard switching into resisted attacks for starting a sweep. Regirock should use Explosion on the turn immediately following Sunny Day in order to maximize the number of turns its teammates can operate with sun in play, unless Regirock should be kept alive to combat Normal- or Flying-types like Kangaskhan and Archeops. Kangaskhan in particular is important for sun teams to beat, as it wastes turns of Sunny Day via Fake Out. It can be advantageous to prioritize Sunny Day's use over Stealth Rock,(RC) or vice versa; it is best to determine first whether the opposing team is weaker to sun sweepers or Stealth Rock and act accordingly. Sunny Day also has some defensive utility in matchups against offensive Water-types, as it reduces the damage of Water-type moves for Regirock and its Fire-type teammates.

Team Options
========

Sunny Day Regirock is intended to complement Chlorophyll-reliant sweepers and Fire-types that can use Sunny Day to maximum effect; therefore, this variant of Regirock only fits on dedicated sun-based teams. Fire-types like Turtonator, Pyroar, and Magmortar are most threatening when played in sun, as Sunny Day boosts the power of their STAB moves significantly. Additionally, Sunny Day effectively negates Pyroar's and Magmortar's weakness to Water-type attacks and enables the use of a single-turn Solar Beam against bulky Rock-types that would otherwise counter them, such as Carbink. In return, these Fire-types check Grass- and Steel-types for Regirock, such as Tangela and Ferroseed. Powerful Grass-type sweepers like Shiftry, Lilligant, Exeggutor, Victreebel, Sawsbuck, and Leafeon all capitalize on Regirock's Sunny Day by doubling their Speed via Chlorophyll, and they become much more difficult to revenge KO kill as a result. Additionally, Regirock further bolsters their effectiveness by laying Stealth Rock, which limits the number of times that opposing Fire-, Bug-, and Flying-types can pivot into these sweepers' Grass-type attacks. Given that Regirock uses Explosion after setting Sunny Day early-game, mid- to late-game setters of Sunny Day are required to provide sun-based teams with continued support. Prankster Volbeat and Liepard fulfill this role by setting up Sunny Day with priority. Volbeat in particular shares excellent synergy with Regirock due to its ability to pivot into Grass-, Ground-, and Fighting-type moves from Pokemon such as Lilligant, Alolan Dugtrio, and Hitmonchan. Lastly, Sunny Day setters with access to self-KOing moves like Memento and Healing Wish are useful partners to Regirock. For example, Alolan Dugtrio equipped with Sunny Day and Memento eases the setup of sun-based sweepers like Victreebel and Turtonator. Furthermore, it can use its dual STAB moves to threaten Pokemon that are problematic to sun-based teams, like Assault Vest Magmortar and Abomasnow. Mesprit is a beneficial partner to Regirock, as it can lend Sunny Day support to Chlorophyll users and Fire-types mid- to late-game and provides them with ample opportunities to set up via Healing Wish and its slow U-turn.

[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============

Regirock can run Thunder Wave over Toxic to potentially generate free turns of Leftovers recovery and decrease the Speed of faster attackers like Floatzel or and Archeops, but doing so would leave Regirock without a means to damage its defensive answers like Gastrodon and Palossand. Seismic Toss is another alternative to Toxic that deals more consistent damage to Pokemon that wall Regirock's Rock-type moves and are immune to Toxic, like Ferroseed and Weezing, but such a tactic would be less effective against defensively inclined walls with access to reliable recovery. Regirock can utilize Curse, with or without Rest and Sleep Talk, to increase its physical bulk and offensive presence. If it is used in conjunction with Rest, Sleep Talk, and Rock Slide, a different Pokemon with access to Stealth Rock should be used alongside Regirock. Despite its lower Base Power, Rock Slide can be used over Stone Edge for its increased accuracy and extra PP, which can come into play against Pokemon with the ability Pressure, such as Articuno. Other coverage moves like Drain Punch and Fire Punch are options over Earthquake for hitting Steel-types super effectively. Drain Punch supplies Regirock with another source of recovery, albeit a small one, and Fire Punch enables Regirock to 3HKO Ferroseed without Attack investment. Despite these benefits, Earthquake is still a superior choice for KOing Steel-types and Skuntank more efficiently. Normalium Z + Psych Up can be used to heal Regirock to full as well as potentially copy any stat boosts from its foes. However, this should only be an option if the rest of your Pokemon cannot fit a Z-Crystal optimally. Similarly, Rest can be used to restore Regirock's HP while reversing any status affliction, but a method to wake it up like Heal Bell support or a Lum Berry is necessary for preventing Regirock from becoming too passive. Counter in combination with a Chople Berry allows Regirock to KO strong Fighting-type Pokemon like Passimian and Gurdurr; however, trading out Leftovers for a Chople Berry has a negative impact on Regirock's survivability in other matchups. Finally, Stomping Tantrum can be used over Earthquake on movesets with Protect: once Protect fails, the Base Power of Stomping Tantrum doubles, which in turn allows it to do more damage than Earthquake. This damage boost lets Regirock OHKO Steel-types like Aggron and Probopass; however, it is also contingent on spamming Protect, which is an unreliable strategy that can be easily capitalized on.

Checks and Counters
===================

**Water-types**: Defensive Water-types like Pyukumuku and Gastrodon only fear Toxic from Regirock and are able to outlast it thanks to their access to Recover. Offensively inclined Water-types like Kingler, Poliwrath, and Carracosta can tank any hit from Regirock and retaliate with their STAB moves.

**Grass-types**: Bulky Grass-types like Lurantis and Ferroseed are able to take any attack that Regirock that can dish out. Additionally, they're both able to use Regirock as setup fodder to boost their Special Attack via Contrary Leaf Storm or to set up multiple layers of entry hazards, respectively. Grass-type sweepers like Shiftry and Lilligant are able to threaten Regirock and force it to switch out, which grants them the opportunity to boost their offensive capabilities.

**Ground-types**: Ground-types like Palossand and Torterra take very little damage from Regirock's attacks, can restore any HP lost via their reliable recovery moves, and are able to 2HKO Regirock in return. However, they must be wary of being crippled by Toxic when switching into Regirock directly.

**Fighting-types**: Strong Fighting-types such as Gurdurr, Passimian, and Hitmonchan resist Regirock's STAB Stone Edge, and they are able to heal off any HP lost in the encounter via Drain Punch. Gurdurr in particular is able to capitalize on Regirock's attempts at spreading status by boosting its Attack via Guts.

**Special Wallbreakers**: Even with Regirock's Special Defense investment, strong specially offensive wallbreakers like Choice Specs Drampa, Fightinium Z Alolan Raichu, and Magmortar are able to break through its defenses with a boosted Focus Blast.

**Faster Taunt Users**: Sableye and Weezing can prevent Regirock from setting up Stealth Rock or Sunny Day for its teammates or from using Toxic in Sableye's case. Furthermore, both Sableye and Weezing have enough Defense to switch into Regirock directly and burn it on the following turn with Will-O-Wisp.

**Residual Damage**: Given Regirock's lack of reliable recovery, passive sources of damage like Toxic and entry hazards can limit its ability to pivot into attacks for its teammates.
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