RU Toxicroak

pancake

movement and location
is a Contributor Alumnus
taken over from Many - a lot of this is his work, and removed hera mentions

qc: col49 from old thread, avocado, teachtable
gp:

[OVERVIEW]

Toxicroak's good offensive typing and movepool allow it to threaten a lot of the tier with its STAB moves and coverage, and an amazing ability in Dry Skin allows Toxicroak to act as a great counter to the plethora of bulky Water-types in the tier, such as Milotic and Araquanid. Also, Toxicroak has a fairly good defensive typing that comes with resistances to common types like Fighting and Grass. Dry Skin and this typing make it immune to both Toxic poison and burns from Scald, which is amazing. However, Pokemon that check or counter Toxicroak, such as Doublade, Gligar, and Cresselia, are very common, making it harder for it to threaten a lot of teams. Its subpar Speed tier leaves it revenge killed by faster threats like Salazzle, Zygarde-10%, and Moltres without too much difficulty. Finally, Toxicroak faces competition from Machamp, Pangoro, and Bewear; although it has priority and the ability to check Water-types, Pangoro and Bewear are much better wallbreakers, and Machamp also does not care about Toxic poison and Scald burns.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Gunk Shot
move 3: Drain Punch
move 4: Ice Punch / Sucker Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

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

Swords Dance boosts Toxicroak's attack and allows it to break bulky Pokemon that it would be otherwise be unable to break. Gunk Shot is Toxicroak's most powerful attack; it hits Fairy- and Psychic-types, which Drain Punch is unable to hit. Drain Punch is a solid Fighting-type STAB move that allows Toxicroak to check opposing Water- and Fighting-types throughout the match. Meanwhile, Ice Punch is useful for hitting Nidoqueen and Gligar, which otherwise wall Toxicroak. Sucker Punch makes up for Toxicroak's subpar Speed tier by allowing it to hit faster Pokemon before they can strike it. Knock Off can be used as an option in the final slot, as it hits Doublade and other Ghost-types while also crippling Pokemon that are reliant on their item, such as Gligar and Bronzong.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs, as well as a Jolly nature, are used to make Toxicroak as fast and powerful as possible. Life Orb gives Toxicroak a much-needed power boost on all of its moves. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Spe with an Adamant nature and Black Sludge takes advantage of Toxicroak's good defensive typing and ability, allowing it to check Water- and Fighting-types more consistently throughout the match while still outspeeding Adamant Tyrantrum and Honchkrow.

Usage Tips
========

Toxicroak should pivot into bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Milotic and Araquanid so it can force them out. Toxicroak also scares out Grass-types like Chesnaught and Roserade and Fairy-types such as Florges and Comfey. Take these opportunities to set up a Swords Dance or weaken a check with Toxicroak's STAB moves. Prediction is key to make the most of Toxicroak's abilities, even more than with most wallbreakers. For example, using Knock Off on the switch to Gligar or Doublade or Swords Dance on the switch to Slowbro will help Toxicroak do its job. If running Sucker Punch, Toxicroak can preserve itself until it has an opportunity to sweep late-game if needed.

Team Options
========

Toxicroak counters most bulky Water-types, so Pokemon that appreciate this, such as Feraligatr, Flygon, and Cloyster, make great teammates. Fast, frail threats like Swellow and Salazzle appreciate Toxicroak's ability to break through bulkier Pokemon for them, allowing them to clean up late-game. Yanmega is an exceptional partner, as it lures in Pokemon that Toxicroak can take advantage of, such as Milotic, Gigalith, and Porygon2. Gligar and other Ground-types give Toxicroak a hard time; Mega Glalie and Feraligatr take advantage of them and are therefore decent teammates. Finally, Toxicroak appreciates checks to the Psychic-types that it has a hard time breaking through, so Doublade and Escavalier should be considered as partners.

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

If Gunk Shot is used, Poisonium Z turns it into a 190-Base Power Acid Downpour, which breaks through even bulky Pokemon like Slowbro and Cresselia when at +2. Although it sounds like a gimmick, a defensive set with an EV spread of 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe, an Impish nature, Ghostium Z, and Spite is a decent option for stall teams. It acts as a catch-all answer to some of the biggest threats to stall, such as Pangoro, Virizion, and Araquanid, and Z-Spite fully heals it once, letting it check those threats throughout the match. Darkinium Z is a decent option when paired with Sucker Punch to give Toxicroak a 140-Base Power Black Hole Eclipse, which can be used against Doublade and other Ghost- and Psychic-types, but you severely miss out on power from Toxicroak's main STAB moves. Earthquake hits Doublade and Dragalge at the same time, although it lacks the utility of Knock Off. Nasty Plot sets with Dark Pulse are decent for luring Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade, but they do not hit very hard and Toxicroak can already somewhat get around these Pokemon with a physical set. Substitute + Focus Punch is an option to take advantage of the switches Toxicroak forces, but it does sacrifice very important coverage. Finally, Taunt can be used to break through Pyukumuku, and it also prevents Pokemon like Cresselia and Jellicent from recovering their health if played carefully.

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

**Quagsire**: Toxicroak can do nothing to Quagsire; it doesn't care if Toxicroak sets up a Swords Dance, takes little damage from any unboosted move, and OHKOes Toxicroak with Earthquake.

**Ground-types**: Gligar walls Toxicroak lacking Ice Punch, although it dislikes Knock Off. Nidoqueen can take anything except for a +2 Ice Punch and OHKO back with Earth Power. Zygarde-10% and Flygon can revenge kill Toxicroak easily and Flygon can even switch in if necessary, and Donphan is not 2HKOed by any unboosted move.

**Ghost-types**: Doublade walls Toxicroak that are not carrying Knock Off, and even Knock Off will fail to 2HKO Doublade. Jellicent can also easily burn any Toxicroak lacking Knock Off.

**Bulky Psychic-types**: Cresselia can take on Life Orb Toxicroak by taking most hits at +2 and OHKOing with Psychic, but should watch out for +2 Acid Downpour or Black Hole Eclipse.

**Faster Pokemon**: Toxicroak is frail, and therefore most Pokemon that outspeed it can beat it. Pokemon such as Salazzle, Swellow, Shaymin, and Flygon can all outspeed and OHKO Toxicroak, but they might have to be wary of Sucker Punch at lower health.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

aVocado

@ Everstone
is a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Top Contributor Alumnus
4mss in overview. it needs different moves to hit different checks/counters for super effective damage but it cant fit all of them in one set, making it forced to choose its checks/counters

also in overview alongside the point about its typing mention how its immunity to toxic and scald burns is a huge boon

remove flygon as an ice punch target. theres no way toxicroak will outspeed flygon unless its not running 252 evs in speed which is dumb, sucker at +2 will do considerable amount of damage to flygon and thats all toxicroak can do to it really

pyuk and quagsire in c&c possibly? idk, i'll leave it up to you

QC approved 2/3
 

teachable

Banned deucer.
hi
[OVERVIEW]
  • Mention that machamp competes with it also, w/ its immunity to toxic + not caring about scald burns.
  • Mention the common faster pokemon that revenge it.
[SET]
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
  • Good
Set Details
========
  • Good
Usage Tips
========
  • Good

Team Options
========
  • Remove zoroark + sharpedo mention, otherwise good.
  • Mention Yanmega as a partner since it lures in Pokemon that Toxicroak can take advantage of.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
  • Good.
Checks and Counters
===================
  • Good


3/3
 

A Cake Wearing A Hat

moist and crusty
is a Community Leaderis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Smogon Media Contributoris a Dedicated Tournament Hostis a Battle Simulator Moderatoris a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Top Social Media Contributor Alumnus
Community Leader
Hey, this is an unofficial check, implement what you want.
add/change remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Toxicroak's good offensive typing and movepool allows it to threaten a lot of the tier with its STAB moves or and coverage. Dry Skin is an amazing ability which that allows Toxicroak to act as a great counter to the plethora of bulky Water-types in the tier, such as Milotic and Araquanid. Also, Toxicroak has a fairly good defensive typing too, which that comes with resistances to common types like Fighting and Grass. Dry Skin and this typing make it immune to both Toxic poison and burns from Scald, which is amazing. However, Pokemon that check or counter Toxicroak, such as Doublade, Gligar, and Cresselia, are very common, making it harder for it Toxicroak to threaten a lot of teams. Its subpar Speed tier leaves it revenge killed by faster threats, (RC) like Salazzle, Zygarde-10%, and Moltres without too much difficulty. Finally, Toxicroak faces competition from Machamp, Pangoro, (AC) and Bewear; although it has priority and the ability to check Water-types, Pangoro and Bewear are much better wallbreakers, and Machamp also does not care about Toxic poison and Scald burns.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Knock Off / Ice Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

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

Swords Dance boosts Toxicroak's attack and allows it to break bulky Pokemon that it would be otherwise be unable to break. Drain Punch is a solid Fighting-type STAB move which that allows Toxicroak to check Water-types and opposing Fighting-types opposing Water- and Fighting-types (more concise) throughout the match. (removed line break) Sucker Punch makes up for Toxicroak's subpar Speed tier by allowing it to hit faster Pokemon. Knock Off hits Doublade and other Ghost-types while also crippling Pokemon that are reliant on their item, such as Gligar and Bronzong. Meanwhile, Ice Punch is useful for hitting Nidoqueen and Gligar, which otherwise wall Toxicroak. Alternatively, Gunk Shot is Toxicroak's most powerful attack; it hits the Fairy-types, (AC) which Drain Punch is unable to hit, but it forces Toxicroak to give up on either Knock Off or Ice Punch, which generally hit more targets or have more utility or hit more targets.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs, as well as a Jolly nature, are used to make Toxicroak as fast and powerful as possible. Life Orb gives Toxicroak a much-needed power boost on all of its moves. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Spe with an Adamant nature and Black Sludge takes advantage of Toxicroak's good defensive typing and ability, allowing it to check Water- and Fighting-types throughout the match, while still outspeeding Adamant Tyrantrum and Honchkrow.

Usage Tips
========

Toxicroak should pivot into bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Milotic and Araquanid so it can threaten them with its STAB moves or set up force them out. Toxicroak also scares out Grass-types like Chesnaught and Roserade and Fairy-types such as Florges and Comfey. Take these opportunities to set up a Swords Dance or weaken a check with its Toxicroak's STAB moves. (overall flows better and is less redundant w these changes) Prediction is key to make the most of Toxicroak's abilities, even more than with most wallbreakers. For example, using Knock Off on the switch to Gligar or Doublade, (RC) or Swords Dance on the switch to Slowbro will help it Toxicroak do its job. If using Sucker Punch, Toxicroak can preserve itself until late-game (AH) until it has an opportunity to sweep if needed.

Team Options
========

Toxicroak counters most bulky Water-types, so Pokemon that appreciate this, such as Feraligatr, Flygon, and Cloyster, (AC) make great teammates. Fast, frail threats like Swellow and Salazzle appreciate Toxicroak's ability to break through bulkier Pokemon for them, allowing them to clean up late-game. Yanmega is an exceptional partner, (AC) as it lures in Pokemon that Toxicroak can take advantage of, such as Milotic, Gigalith, and Porygon2. Gligar and other Ground-types give Toxicroak a hard time; Mega Glalie and Feraligatr take advantage of them and are therefore decent teammates. Finally, Toxicroak appreciates checks to the Psychic-types which that it has a hard time breaking through, so Doublade and Escavalier should be considered as partners.

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

If Gunk Shot is used, Poisonium Z turns Gunk Shot into a 190-Base Power Acid Downpour, which breaks through even bulky Pokemon like Slowbro and Cresselia when at +2. Although it sounds like a gimmick, a defensive set with an EV spread of 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe, an Impish nature, Ghostium Z, (AC) and Spite is a decent option for stall teams. It acts as a catch-all answer to some of the biggest threats to stall, such as Pangoro, Virizion, and Araquanid, and Z-Spite fully heals it once, (AC) letting it check those threats throughout the match. Darkinium Z is a decent option when paired with Sucker Punch to give Toxicroak a 140 BP option Black Hole Eclipse, which can be used against Doublade and other Ghost- and Psychic-types, but you severely miss out on power from the Toxicroak's main STAB moves. Earthquake hits Doublade and Dragalge at the same time, although it lacks the utility of Knock Off. Nasty Plot sets with Dark Pulse are decent for luring Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade, but they do not hit very hard and Toxicroak can already somewhat get around these Pokemon with a physical set. Subsitute + Focus Punch is an option to take advantage of the switches Toxicroak forces, but does sacrifice this set sacrifices very important coverage. Finally, Taunt can be used to break through Pyukumuku, and it also prevents recovery on Pokemon like Cresselia or Jellicent from recovering their health if played carefully.

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

**Quagsire**: Toxicroak can do nothing to Quagsire; it doesn't care if Quagsire Toxicroak sets up a Swords Dance, takes little damage from any unboosted move, and can OHKO it OHKOes Toxicroak with Earthquake.

**Ground-types**: Gligar walls Toxicroak without lacking Ice Punch, although it dislikes Knock Off. Nidoqueen can take anything except for a +2 Ice Punch and OHKO back with Earth Power. Zygarde-10% and Flygon can revenge kill Toxicroak easily and Flygon can even switch in if necessary, and Donphan is not 2HKO'd 2HKOed by any unboosted move.

**Ghost-types**: Doublade walls Toxicroak if that are not carrying Knock Off, and even Knock Off will fail to 2HKO Doublade. Sableye resists all of Toxicroak's STABs STAB attacks and can easily cripple it with priority Will-O-Wisp. Jellicent can do the same to also easily burn (jellicent doesn't have priority will-o) any Toxicroak without lacking Knock Off.

**Bulky Psychic-types**: Slowbro and Cresselia can take on Life Orb Toxicroak by taking most hits at +2 and OHKOing with Psychic, but they should watch out for +2 Acid Downpour or Black Hole Eclipse.

**Faster Pokemon**: Toxicroak is frail, and therefore most Pokemon that outspeed it can beat it. Pokemon such as Salazzle, Swellow, Shaymin, and Flygon can all outspeed and OHKO Toxicroak, but they might have to be wary of Sucker Punch at lower health.
 

Eyan

sleep is the cousin of death
is a Top Tutor Alumnusis a Site Content Manager Alumnusis a Social Media Contributor Alumnusis a Forum Moderator Alumnusis a Community Contributor Alumnusis a Tiering Contributor Alumnusis a Contributor Alumnusis a Battle Simulator Moderator Alumnus
GP 1/2

Cake: add/change remove comments
Me: add / correct remove comments
[OVERVIEW]

Toxicroak's good offensive typing and movepool allows it to threaten a lot of the tier with its STAB moves or and coverage. Dry Skin is an amazing ability which that allows Toxicroak to act as a great counter to the plethora of bulky Water-types in the tier, such as Milotic and Araquanid. Also, Toxicroak has a fairly good defensive typing too, which that comes with resistances to common types like Fighting and Grass. Dry Skin and this typing make it immune to both Toxic poison and burns from Scald, which is amazing. However, Pokemon that check or counter Toxicroak, such as Doublade, Gligar, and Cresselia, are very common, making it harder for it Toxicroak (not really necessary; "it" isn't that ambiguous when all the other Pokemon come under the group of examples) to threaten a lot of teams. Its subpar Speed tier leaves it revenge killed by faster threats, (RC) like Salazzle, Zygarde-10%, and Moltres without too much difficulty. Finally, Toxicroak faces competition from Machamp, Pangoro, (AC) and Bewear; although it has priority and the ability to check Water-types, Pangoro and Bewear are much better wallbreakers, and Machamp also does not care about Toxic poison and Scald burns (is Machamp also a better wallbreaker? if so, this could be rephrased better like "...Pangoro, Bewear, and Machamp are much better wallbreakers, with Machamp also not caring about...." or combining this with the previous sentence like "Finally, although Toxicroak has priority and the ability to check Water-types, it faces competition from Machamp, Pangoro, and Bewear, which are much better wallbreakers, with Machamp also not caring about Toxic poison and Scald burns.").

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Knock Off / Ice Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe (for the record, "EVs" would still work during uploading)

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

Swords Dance boosts Toxicroak's attack and allows it to break bulky Pokemon that it would be otherwise be unable to break. Drain Punch is a solid Fighting-type STAB move which that allows Toxicroak to check Water-types and opposing Fighting-types opposing Water- and Fighting-types (more concise) throughout the match. (removed line break) Sucker Punch makes up for Toxicroak's subpar Speed tier by allowing it to hit faster Pokemon (a little iffy, since you'd still hit faster Pokemon with Drain Punch, just not before they can hit you). Knock Off hits Doublade and other Ghost-types while also crippling Pokemon that are reliant on their item, such as Gligar and Bronzong. Meanwhile, Ice Punch is useful for hitting Nidoqueen and Gligar, which otherwise wall Toxicroak. Alternatively, Gunk Shot is Toxicroak's most powerful attack; it hits the Fairy-types, (AC) which Drain Punch is unable to hit, but it (unnecessary; commas surround the non-restrictive clause, so there doesn't have to be an independent clause here) forces Toxicroak to give up on either Knock Off or Ice Punch, which generally hit more targets or have more utility or hit more targets.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs, as well as a Jolly nature, are used to make Toxicroak as fast and powerful as possible. Life Orb gives Toxicroak a much-needed power boost on all of its moves. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Spe with an Adamant nature and Black Sludge takes advantage of Toxicroak's good defensive typing and ability, allowing it to check Water- and Fighting-types throughout the match (in Moves, you mentioned Drain Punch allowing it to check Water- and Fighting-types throughout the match as well, so the wording here doesn't tell me what this bulkier spread's niche is in comparison), (rc) while still outspeeding Adamant Tyrantrum and Honchkrow.

Usage Tips
========

Toxicroak should pivot into bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Milotic and Araquanid so it can threaten them with its STAB moves or set up force them out. Toxicroak also scares out Grass-types like Chesnaught and Roserade and Fairy-types such as Florges and Comfey. Take these opportunities to set up a Swords Dance or weaken a check with its Toxicroak's (not terribly necessary, but it's fine) STAB moves. (overall flows better and is less redundant w these changes) Prediction is key to make the most of Toxicroak's abilities, even more than with most wallbreakers. For example, using Knock Off on the switch to Gligar or Doublade, (RC) or Swords Dance on the switch to Slowbro will help it Toxicroak do its job. If using running Sucker Punch, Toxicroak can preserve itself until late-game (AH) until it has an opportunity to sweep late-game if needed.

Team Options
========

Toxicroak counters most bulky Water-types, so Pokemon that appreciate this, such as Feraligatr, Flygon, and Cloyster, (AC) make great teammates. Fast, frail threats (fast, frail threats = fast threats and frail threats both work; fast frail threats (without the comma) = only frail threats that are fast work, so just make sure you're using what you mean) like Swellow and Salazzle appreciate Toxicroak's ability to break through bulkier Pokemon for them, allowing them to clean up late-game. Yanmega is an exceptional partner, (AC) as it lures in Pokemon that Toxicroak can take advantage of, such as Milotic, Gigalith, and Porygon2. Gligar and other Ground-types give Toxicroak a hard time; Mega Glalie and Feraligatr take advantage of them and are therefore decent teammates. Finally, Toxicroak appreciates checks to the Psychic-types which that it has a hard time breaking through, so Doublade and Escavalier should be considered as partners.

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

If Gunk Shot is used, Poisonium Z turns Gunk Shot into a 190-Base Power Acid Downpour, which breaks through even bulky Pokemon like Slowbro and Cresselia when at +2. Although it sounds like a gimmick, a defensive set with an EV spread of 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe, an Impish nature, Ghostium Z, (AC) and Spite is a decent option for stall teams. It acts as a catch-all answer to some of the biggest threats to stall, such as Pangoro, Virizion, and Araquanid, and Z-Spite fully heals it once, (AC) letting it check those threats throughout the match. Darkinium Z is a decent option when paired with Sucker Punch to give Toxicroak a 140-Base Power BP option Black Hole Eclipse, which can be used against Doublade and other Ghost- and Psychic-types, but you severely miss out on power from the Toxicroak's main STAB moves. Earthquake hits Doublade and Dragalge at the same time, although it lacks the utility of Knock Off. Nasty Plot sets with Dark Pulse are decent for luring Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade, but they do not hit very hard and Toxicroak can already somewhat get around these Pokemon with a physical set. Subsitute Substitute + Focus Punch is an option to take advantage of the switches Toxicroak forces, but does sacrifice this set sacrifices (nothing wrong, but simply saying "it does sacrifice" would work, as in the option does sacrifice coverage) very important coverage. Finally, Taunt can be used to break through Pyukumuku, and it also prevents recovery on Pokemon like Cresselia or Jellicent from recovering their health if played carefully.

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

**Quagsire**: Toxicroak can do nothing to Quagsire; it doesn't care if Quagsire Toxicroak sets up a Swords Dance, takes little damage from any unboosted move, and can OHKO it OHKOes Toxicroak with Earthquake.

**Ground-types**: Gligar walls Toxicroak without lacking Ice Punch, although it dislikes Knock Off. Nidoqueen can take anything except for a +2 Ice Punch and OHKO back Toxicroak (think of OHKO back like give back; you can't give back something you didn't get, so since Nidoqueen doesn't get OHKOed typically (Ice Punch was made as an exception), it doesn't OHKO "back". It can OHKO in return, though, since that has the connotation of in exchange) with Earth Power. Zygarde-10% and Flygon can revenge kill Toxicroak easily and Flygon can even switch in if necessary, and Donphan is not 2HKO'd 2HKOed by any unboosted move.

**Ghost-types**: Doublade walls Toxicroak if that are not carrying Knock Off, and even Knock Off will fail to 2HKO Doublade. Sableye resists all of Toxicroak's STABs STAB attacks and can easily cripple it with priority Will-O-Wisp. Jellicent can do the same to also easily burn (jellicent doesn't have priority will-o) any Toxicroak without lacking Knock Off.

**Bulky Psychic-types**: Slowbro and Cresselia can take on Life Orb Toxicroak by taking most hits at +2 and OHKOing with Psychic, but they should watch out for +2 Acid Downpour or Black Hole Eclipse.

**Faster Pokemon**: Toxicroak is frail, and therefore most Pokemon that outspeed it can beat it. Pokemon such as Salazzle, Swellow, Shaymin, and Flygon can all outspeed and OHKO Toxicroak, but they might have to be wary of Sucker Punch at lower health.

Good job Cake. You hardly missed anything objective, but I'd pay a little more attention to wording and overall structure of the sections and analysis (see all my comments). Be careful of ambiguity surrounding "it" as well. Just because the antecedent doesn't precede the word doesn't mean it's ambiguous. Context is pretty important for whether it's implied enough to be understood.
 

Lumari

empty spaces
is a Site Content Manageris a Top Social Media Contributoris a Member of Senior Staffis a Community Contributoris a Top Contributoris a Top Smogon Media Contributoris an Administrator Alumnus
TFP Leader
implemented the above check bc the writer has quit, doing 2/2



remove add / fix (comments); (AC=add comma; RC=remove comma; SC=semicolon)
GP 2/2
[OVERVIEW]

Toxicroak's good offensive typing and movepool allow it to threaten a lot of the tier with its STAB moves and coverage, (comma) Dry Skin is and an amazing ability that in Dry Skin allows Toxicroak to act as a great counter to the plethora of bulky Water-types in the tier, such as Milotic and Araquanid. Also, Toxicroak has a fairly good defensive typing that comes with resistances to common types like Fighting and Grass. Dry Skin and this typing make it immune to both Toxic poison and burns from Scald, which is amazing. However, Pokemon that check or counter Toxicroak, such as Doublade, Gligar, and Cresselia, are very common, making it harder for it to threaten a lot of teams. Its subpar Speed tier leaves it revenge killed by faster threats like Salazzle, Zygarde-10%, and Moltres without too much difficulty. Finally, Toxicroak faces competition from Machamp, Pangoro, and Bewear; although it has priority and the ability to check Water-types, Pangoro and Bewear are much better wallbreakers, and Machamp also does not care about Toxic poison and Scald burns.

[SET]
name: Swords Dance
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Drain Punch
move 3: Sucker Punch
move 4: Knock Off / Ice Punch
item: Life Orb
ability: Dry Skin
nature: Jolly
evs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe

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

Swords Dance boosts Toxicroak's attack and allows it to break bulky Pokemon that it would be otherwise be unable to break. Drain Punch is a solid Fighting-type STAB move that allows Toxicroak to check opposing Water- and Fighting-types throughout the match. Sucker Punch makes up for Toxicroak's subpar Speed tier by allowing it to hit faster Pokemon before they can strike it. Knock Off hits Doublade and other Ghost-types while also crippling Pokemon that are reliant on their item, such as Gligar and Bronzong. Meanwhile, Ice Punch is useful for hitting Nidoqueen and Gligar, which otherwise wall Toxicroak. Alternatively, Gunk Shot is Toxicroak's most powerful attack; it hits Fairy-types, which Drain Punch is unable to hit, but forces Toxicroak to give up on either Knock Off or Ice Punch, which generally have more utility or hit more targets.

Set Details
========

Maximum Attack and Speed EVs, as well as a Jolly nature, are used to make Toxicroak as fast and powerful as possible. Life Orb gives Toxicroak a much-needed power boost on all of its moves. A bulkier EV spread of 252 HP / 112 Atk / 144 Spe with an Adamant nature and Black Sludge takes advantage of Toxicroak's good defensive typing and ability, allowing it to check Water- and Fighting-types more consistently throughout the match while still outspeeding Adamant Tyrantrum and Honchkrow.

Usage Tips
========

Toxicroak should pivot into bulky Water-type Pokemon such as Milotic and Araquanid so it can force them out. Toxicroak also scares out Grass-types like Chesnaught and Roserade and Fairy-types such as Florges and Comfey. Take these opportunities to set up a Swords Dance or weaken a check with Toxicroak's STAB moves. Prediction is key to make the most of Toxicroak's abilities, even more than with most wallbreakers. For example, using Knock Off on the switch to Gligar or Doublade or Swords Dance on the switch to Slowbro will help Toxicroak do its job. If running Sucker Punch, Toxicroak can preserve itself until it has an opportunity to sweep late-game if needed.

Team Options
========

Toxicroak counters most bulky Water-types, so Pokemon that appreciate this, such as Feraligatr, Flygon, and Cloyster, make great teammates. Fast, frail threats like Swellow and Salazzle appreciate Toxicroak's ability to break through bulkier Pokemon for them, allowing them to clean up late-game. Yanmega is an exceptional partner, as it lures in Pokemon that Toxicroak can take advantage of, such as Milotic, Gigalith, and Porygon2. Gligar and other Ground-types give Toxicroak a hard time; Mega Glalie and Feraligatr take advantage of them and are therefore decent teammates. Finally, Toxicroak appreciates checks to the Psychic-types that it has a hard time breaking through, so Doublade and Escavalier should be considered as partners.

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

If Gunk Shot is used, Poisonium Z turns Gunk Shot it into a 190-Base Power Acid Downpour, which breaks through even bulky Pokemon like Slowbro and Cresselia when at +2. Although it sounds like a gimmick, a defensive set with an EV spread of 252 HP / 200 Def / 56 Spe, an Impish nature, Ghostium Z, and Spite is a decent option for stall teams. It acts as a catch-all answer to some of the biggest threats to stall, such as Pangoro, Virizion, and Araquanid, and Z-Spite fully heals it once, letting it check those threats throughout the match. Darkinium Z is a decent option when paired with Sucker Punch to give Toxicroak a 140-Base Power Black Hole Eclipse, which can be used against Doublade and other Ghost- and Psychic-types, but you severely miss out on power from Toxicroak's main STAB moves. Earthquake hits Doublade and Dragalge at the same time, although it lacks the utility of Knock Off. Nasty Plot sets with Dark Pulse are decent for luring Pokemon like Slowbro and Doublade, but they do not hit very hard and Toxicroak can already somewhat get around these Pokemon with a physical set. Substitute + Focus Punch is an option to take advantage of the switches Toxicroak forces, but it does sacrifice very important coverage. Finally, Taunt can be used to break through Pyukumuku, and it also prevents Pokemon like Cresselia or and Jellicent from recovering their health if played carefully.

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

**Quagsire**: Toxicroak can do nothing to Quagsire; it doesn't care if Toxicroak sets up a Swords Dance, takes little damage from any unboosted move, and OHKOes Toxicroak with Earthquake.

**Ground-types**: Gligar walls Toxicroak lacking Ice Punch, although it dislikes Knock Off. Nidoqueen can take anything except for a +2 Ice Punch and OHKO back with Earth Power. Zygarde-10% and Flygon can revenge kill Toxicroak easily and Flygon can even switch in if necessary, and Donphan is not 2HKOed by any unboosted move.

**Ghost-types**: Doublade walls Toxicroak that are not carrying Knock Off, and even Knock Off will fail to 2HKO Doublade. Sableye resists all of Toxicroak's STAB attacks and can easily cripple it with priority Will-O-Wisp. Jellicent can also easily burn any Toxicroak lacking Knock Off.

**Bulky Psychic-types**: Slowbro and Cresselia can take on Life Orb Toxicroak by taking most hits at +2 and OHKOing with Psychic, but they should watch out for +2 Acid Downpour or Black Hole Eclipse.

**Faster Pokemon**: Toxicroak is frail, and therefore most Pokemon that outspeed it can beat it. Pokemon such as Salazzle, Swellow, Shaymin, and Flygon can all outspeed and OHKO Toxicroak, but they might have to be wary of Sucker Punch at lower health.


also went ahead and implemented so this should be done
 
Last edited:

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 1, Guests: 0)

Top