[OVERVIEW]
Dodrio's high Speed and Attack stats make it a solid revenge killer and potential setup sweeper in NU. At maximum Speed, Dodrio can outspeed threats such as Sigilyph, Typhlosion, Mismagius, and Virizion. Additionally, it can OHKO fast Pokemon such as Hitmonlee, Scyther, Mismagius, and Houndoom with a strong STAB Brave Bird. With Brave Bird and coverage for Steel-tpes and Rock-types in Jump Kick, Dodrio can hold Flyinium Z or Fightinium Z to use the corresponding Z-Move as a fantastic wallbreaker. Dodrio's access to the move Swords Dance makes these attacks even more dangerous. However, because Dodrio is too frail to take many attacks. Dodrio also faces heavy competition from Braviary, which is bulkier and can also set up with Bulk Up.
[SET]
name: Setup Sweeper
move 1: Swords Dance
move 2: Brave Bird
move 3: Return / Quick Attack
move 4: Jump Kick
item: Flyinium Z / Fightinium Z / Life Orb
ability: Early Bird
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Swords Dance gives Dodrio a huge boost in power, which can allow it to sweep or do significant damage to the opposing team. Brave Bird is Dodrio's strongest Flying-type STAB move, capable of 2HKOing most Pokemon that don't resist it if Dodrio is holding a Life Orb. STAB Return deals no recoil damage and dent most switch-ins. It hits Electric-types such as Manectric, Lanturn, and Electivire and is a good option for hitting Pokemon like Garbodor and Druddigon, which could quickly wear Dodrio down with a combination of residual damage and Brave Bird recoil. If Dodrio's team desires priority, one can replace Return with Quick Attack. At +2, Quick Attack can do up to 69% to Sceptile and OHKOes Sneasel 94% of the time after Stealth Rock damage. Other threats, including Virizion and Emboar, can also take more than 50% from a +2 Quick Attack. Lastly, Jump Kick allows Dodrio to hit the Rock- and Steel-types it cannot do much damage to with its other attacks. This includes Pokemon like Steelix, Aurorus, Regirock, Klinklang, and Rhydon.
Set Details
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252 Attack EVs and 252 Speed EVs with a Jolly nature give Dodrio the speed and power necessary for sweeping through teams, and a Jolly nature ensures that Dodrio outspeeds the likes of Sigilyph, Scyther, Delphox, Manectric, and Mismagius. Flyinium Z allows Dodrio to use Supersonic Skystrike, which can inflict massive amounts of damage on immediate threats or walls. Dodrio OHKOes Drapion after Stealth Rock damage with Supersonic Skystrike and OHKOes Slowbro at +2. Supersonic Skystrike also does not make contact, making it very useful when Dodrio is up against Pokemon like Druddigon, Vileplume, and Garbodor. All-Out Pummeling from Fightinium Z can used to break through Steel- and Rock-types such as Steelix and Rhydon, KOing both at +2 if Steelix's Sturdy is broken. A Life Orb can be used to strengthen all of Dodrio's attacks, and it even +2 Brave Bird to OHKO Vaporeon. Unboosted Life Orb Dodrio can OHKO Scyther, Sigilyph, and Delphox. However, the recoil from Brave Bird in conjunction with Life Orb significantly decreases Dodrio's longevity.
Usage Tips
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With such high Speed and strong STAB attacks, Dodrio can function as a revenge killer, but it doesn't have to be kept off the field for an entire match. It can also be used to create offensive pressure or even just do heavy damage to one specific wall. Dodrio much prefers to enter the battle without taking prior damage, meaning slow U-Turns and Volt Switches are fantastic ways to get it in. Due to how fragile Dodrio is, it is recommended that one sets up Swords Dance only when Dodrio will take minimal damage or when the opponent is guaranteed to switch. Dodrio can scare out slower offensive Pokemon such as Emboar, Incineroar, and non-Unburden Hitmonlee by threatening them with super effective moves. This can allow you to predict a switch and get Dodrio to +2 without it taking any damage. Dodrio can use its Ghost and Ground immunities to switch in on such attacks, but this is very risky unless the foe is Choice-locked.
Team Options
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Bulky pivots that take attacks for Dodrio such as Slowbro and Steelix pair very well. Slow U-turn users such as Xatu and Incineroar can allow Dodrio to cleanly enter the battle. Volt Switch and U-turn users that can create momentum, such as Rotom-C, can also be used. Xatu helps in preventing Stealth Rock, which keeps Dodrio healthy, while Incineroar and Rotom-C lure in Fighting- and Grass-types, respectively. Because of Dodrio's Stealth Rock weakness, entry hazard removal in the form of Hitmontop, Cryogonal, Golbat, Skuntank, and others is beneficial to it. Pokemon that appreciate Dodrio's wallbreaking ability, including other Normal- and Flying-types, Sneasel, and Drapion, act as good synergetic partners. The presence of entry hazards, including Stealth Rock and Spikes, are great for Dodrio, as they provide passive damage to further weaken foes and make sure that Steelix's Sturdy stays broken. This means that Pokemon such as Ferroseed and Steelix, which lure in Fighting-types and can set up Stealth Rock or Spikes, are great teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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Dodrio can be used with a Choice Band and the moves Brave Bird, Quick Attack, Jump Kick, and Knock Off. Quick Attack further helps Dodrio be a solid revenge killer, and Knock Off OHKOes Rotom, helps Dodrio remove Steelix's item, and removes potential Rocky Helmets. The issue with this set is that Dodrio is very fragile, meaning it can spam Brave Bird less than its competition, Braviary, can. Additionally, Dodrio lacks U-turn, meaning Braviary can better take advantage of Choice Band. This set also faces competition from Dodrio's standard set, it allows Dodrio to set up and switch between moves. Another option is Z-Mirror Move, which boosts Dodrio's attack two stages and uses the Z-Move version of the last used move, meaning that Dodrio could hypothetically come in on an Earthquake, be unaffected, and then attack with a +2 Tectonic Rage the next turn. The issue with this Z-Move is how situational it is, and Dodrio often wants to set up without having to use its Z-Move. Z-Acupressure, another setup move, raises a random stat by 2 stages and gives Dodrio a 50% critical hit rate, but due to how random in nature the move is, it's little more than a gimmick. Flail can do extraordinary damage to foes but can be tedious to set up and is outclassed by Reversal Unburden Hitmonlee. Finally, Pursuit can be useful for trapping and dealing good damage to Psychic- and Ghost-types, but Dodrio is outclassed as a Pursuit trapper by Sneasel, and Dodrio's movesets have no real room for Pursuit.
Checks and Counters
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**Steelix**: Steelix can take any hit from Dodrio and loses less than half of its health to a Jolly Life Orb Jump Kick. In return, Steelix can potentially 2HKO Dodrio with Heavy Slam. Steelix must be cautious of +2 All-Out Pummeling, however, as that will OHKO it if it does not have Sturdy intact.
**Rocky Helmet Users**: Because all of Dodrio's best moves make contact, Pokemon holding a Rocky Helmet can very quickly wear it down. Druddigon, Garbodor, Xatu, and Steelix are all Pokemon that potentially use Rocky Helmet. However, +2 Supersonic Skystrike can KO these threats while ensuring Dodrio takes no Rocky Helmet, Aftermath, or Rough Skin damage.
**Rock-types**: Rock-type Pokemon like Aurorus, Rhydon, Regirock, and Barbaracle resist both of Dodrio's STAB moves and only take notable damage from Jump Kick. In return, these Pokemon can throw off super effective STAB moves. However, they are heavily damaged or OHKOed by All-Out Pummeling.
**Stealth Rock**: Dodrio loses 25% of its maximum health when it switches into Stealth Rock. This means that it loses a decent amount of its longevity, especially combined with its most spammable move, Brave Bird, making it take recoil damage.
**Faster Offensive Pokemon and Priority**: Because Dodrio's mediocre bulk, Pokemon that are faster than it are able to inflict massive amounts of damage or even OHKO it. This includes the likes of Sneasel, Lycanroc, Cincinno, Unburden Hitmonlee, and common Choice Scarf users such as Braviary, Drapion, and Emboar. Priority moves can be an issue as well, though Quick Attack makes Dodrio less susceptible to them.
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