Monotype Toxapex (Poison) [QC 3/3] [GP 2/2] (Written)

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GP 2/2

[OVERVIEW]

Toxapex is the best defensive pivot available to Poison-type teams, thanks to its Regenerator ability enabaling it to take damage and recover it when switched out and its great Special and PhysicDefense and Special Defense stats allowing it to take heavy hits from Pokemon such as Mega Charizard Y and Mega Pinsir. Toxapex's Water typing also helps Poison-type teams deal with the match(remove space)up against Bug-type teams by enabling it to use Haze on Volcarona and Mega Scizor whilst resisting both of their STAB attacks. The same Water typing also makes it a key Pokemon when dealing with Fire-type teams as well as some Flying-type teams that rely on Mega Charizard Y as the wallbreaker. Toxapex's solid movepool for a bulky Pokemon gives it reliable recovery through Recover as well as utility moves in Toxic Spikes and Haze to support the rest of the team. Scald is Toxapex's only commonly used attack, and its 30% chance to burn gives it a good chance to shut down physical threats to Poison-type teams, such as Mega Gallade and Landorus-T, when spammed. However, Toxapex has to rely on this move for dealing damage and hope for burns when faced with Taunt users; otherwise, it is dead weight to the team.

[SET]
name: Defensive Pivot
move 1: Scald
move 2: Recover
move 3: Toxic Spikes
move 4: Haze
item: Black Sludge
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD

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

Scald is Toxapex's only decent attacking move,(RC) and it is extremely spammable as well, having a 30% chance to burn the opposition; it is a great way to get around being walled by Taunt users, and it is also good for crippling opposing Pokemon and getting chip damage against Pokemon that are immune to Toxic. Recover gives Toxapex a reliable form of recovery and gives Toxapex the freedom to scout for moves from Pokemon that can't OHKO it. Toxapex can also use Recover to stall out Pokemon that have been burned or poisoned. Toxic Spikes is a great entry hazard that Toxapex can utilize well, as it is so bulky that it can reliably get up both layers with(remove space)out risking much. Toxic Spikes cause your opponentthe foes to take chip damage throughout the majority of the match, paving the way for sweepers to have an easier time cleaning late-game. They also force the opposition to play around them to get a turn to Rapid Spin or Defog, giving your team momentum. Haze stops Toxapex from being setup fodder as well as halting sweepers from cleaning the team late-game; as it has nonexistent offensive presence, Pokemon such as Volcarona would have an easy time setting up on it otherwise. Baneful Bunker can be used over Haze, as it can scout out Choice item users. This lets you play better versus more offensive teams rather than having the safety versus setup that comes with Haze. Haze is slightly better than Baneful Bunker, as it helps to stop Poison-type teams from being overwhelmed by setup sweepers, (AC) but Baneful Bunker has positives, (AC) especially in the Normal matchup.


Set Details
========

Regenerator enhances Toxapex's ability to act as a pivot for the team. Being able to come in and out while taking hits and restoring HP each time is very valuable for the team. Black Sludge is used to give Toxapex passive recovery, giving Toxapex the chance to take more hits without relying on Recover as much. It is also the difference between taking two Earthquakes from Mega Charizard X and risking being KO'ed after Stealth Rock. Maximum HP and Defensive investment is used so that Toxapex can take hits from Life Orb Excadrill nearly every time, as well as taking on Pokemon such as Mega Pinsir, Mega Lopunny, Choice Band Victini, and a set-up Bisharp.

Usage Tips
========

Switching in and out with Toxapex is better than using Recover if you have better answers to Pokemonfoes on your team. Utilizing Regenerator well with Toxapex allows you to take advantage of having a healthy wall during the late turns of the game. Going out to Pokemon such as Alolan Muk on special attacks as well as going tond Mega Venusaur on physical attacks rather than trying to use Recover to stay healthy not only gives Toxapex more HP but also lets you get in a Pokemon that better deals with the opposition. Make sure that you keep Toxapex healthy if you see a threat that can set up easily on your team and sweep so that you can safely Haze it. Toxapex can take on Volcarona but needs a considerable amount of health to beat it at +1 if Volcarona carries Hidden Power Ground. Take advantage of how spammable Scald is by trying to cripple physical attackers such as Garchomp orand Mega Gallade or Pokemon immune to poison. Try to get up two layers of Toxic Spikes when facing balance teams, as it will be more damaging over time. Just gGetting up at least one layer of Toxic Spikes is important, as any chip damage is crucial. Use Baneful Bunker to scout for Choice item users to give yourself a better opportunity at a safer switch.

Team Options
========

Alolan Muk is a great teammate for Toxapex, as the Assault Vest set with Pursuit and Poison Touch can trap and KO Psychic-types that threaten Toxapex. Knock Off can also make it easier for Toxapex to check Pokemon by removing Choice items and Leftovers. Alolan Muk'Its immunity to Psychic attackslso means it can isolate and KO Psychic-type Pokemon on other teams such as Jirachi on Steel, Latias and Latioos and Latias on Dragon, and Victini on Fire. (fits better next to the line that talks about trapping) Knock Off can also make it easier for Toxapex to check Pokemon by removing Choice items and Leftovers. Mega Venusaur works well with Toxapex, naturally resisting one of Toxapex's weakness'es in Electric-type attacks, giving Toxapex less pressure. It is also neutral to Ground-type attacks. Thus, Mega Venusaur can help Toxapex deal with Pokemon such as Excadrill and Tapu Koko. Crobat works well with Toxapex, as it is immune to Ground and can support Toxapex with dealing with other bulky Pokemon. It also has good synergy with Toxapex as they are both pivots, with Crobat being a fast U-turn pivot and Toxapex being a slow Regenerator pivot, and it can act as a stallbreaker or prevent Defog with Taunt and get rid of entry hazards with Defog. Nihilego is arguabley the best Choice Scarf sweeper to pair with Toxapex, as it can take advantage of burn and poison chip to clean late-(AH)game. It also gets a nice boost with Beast Boost after each KO, meaning it can first take out Pokemon with lower HP and then take on bulkier Pokemon after the boost. It can also be used as a Stealth Rock hazard setter. Nidoking provides an Electric-type immunity that Toxapex can take advantage of. The ability to switch in Nidoking on Electric-types and deal with them with Earth Power or any of its amazing coverage moves is very good for Toxapex. Nidoking's great coverage also supports Toxapex with Ice Beam for Ground-type Pokemon as well as Thunderbolt to help deal with the Flying-type Pokemon that are unaffected by Toxic Spikes. Gengar's heavy-hitting attacks and great Speed tier(add space)makes it a great option with any of Life Orb, Choice Specs, and Choice Scarf. It can break through teams or sweep teams late-game after chip damage from Toxic Spikes and Scald. Scolipede can set up and sweep late-game also if Toxapex has successfully crippled the opposition's team.

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

Rocky Helmet is an option for Toxapex to cripple Pokemon making contact with it. It is good against Pokemon that rely on contact moves for beating Toxapex; however, it leaves Toxapex weaker to Pokemon such as Kyurem-B and Heatran, as once you are weakened youit is weakened, (AC) Toxapex can no longer safely check them on the switch, especially after entry hazard damage.

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

**Stallbreakers**: Pokemon with Taunt such as Gliscor, Jellicent, and Heatran can wear down and eventually KO Toxapex without it doing much back to them, usually leading to Toxapex switching out and giving the opposition momentum.

**Electric-types**: Tapu Koko and other Electric-types can easily deal with Toxapex under Electric Terrain and gain momentum off forced switches.

**Psychic-types**: Pokemon such as Latios and Meloetta can break through Toxapex quite easily. Pokemon such as Mega Gallade and Victini also don't have much trouble breaking through the entire team and forcing switches.

**Ground-types**: Every Ground-type Pokemon is a threat to Toxapex. With STAB moves such as Earthquake, these Pokemon can deal huge damage to or KO Toxapex, forcing it to switch. With help from Venusaur's Leech Seed, youToxapex can put up a fight against Pokemon such as Hippowdown and Gastrodon, but for the most part, (AC) you will have to switch to a Pokemon more suited to take on Ground-types. The biggest Ground-type threats to Toxapex include Excadrill, Garchomp, and Landorus. However, although Ground-type attacks are super effective against Toxapex, they rarely OHKO it, which allows it to use that turn to get up a layer of Toxic Spikes or fire off a Scald before switching out to get healed by Regenerator.

**Wallbreakers**: Choiced Pokemon such as Choice Specs Hydreigon and Choice Band Diggersby hit too hard for Toxapex to handle, forcing it out and giving your opponent momentum while dealing damage to the switch-in.

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