[SET]
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Drain Punch
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Mach Punch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/memoric.215000/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/charlotte.159382/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/qsns.230771/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
name: Bulky Attacker
move 1: Drain Punch
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Mach Punch
item: Assault Vest
ability: Guts
nature: Adamant
evs: 252 HP / 16 Atk / 240 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
- With an Assault Vest, Conkeldurr becomes one of the most resilient attackers in the format, as its immensely bolstered Special Defense, excellent super effective coverage, and access to healing in Drain Punch let it excel in winning out damage trades.
- An Adamant nature allows Conkeldurr serviceable damage output, Meanwhile, the focus in Special Defense investment, in conjunction with Assault Vest, makes Conkeldurr a reliable tank in an XY DOU metagame predominated by Special Attackers, improving its matchups into the common Thundurus, Volcanion, and Mega Gengar.
- Guts primarily lets Conkeldurr be a reliable answer to Volcanion, as it prevents Conkeldurr from being crippled by a Steam Eruption burn, instead letting it capitalize with a boost in damage output. Guts also lets it get a meaningful advantage from switching into Thundurus's Thunder Wave.
- Drain Punch and Ice Punch are Conkeldurr's core offensive tools. Drain Punch is its main attacking option, a STAB attack that provides meaningful healing and targets Normal-types like Mega Kangashkan and Porygon2, as well as Kyurem-B, Ferrothorn, and Bisharp. Ice Punch lets Conkeldurr do significant damage to Landorus-T and Thundurus, both common Fighting-resistant threats that are weak to Ice, and it also lets Conkeldurr not be totally helpless against Amoonguss.
- Knock Off targets Mega Gengar specifically, as it deals around half to even the bulkiest of Mega Gengar sets. In addition, Knock Off also comes in use as a midground option in cases where Drain Punch and Ice Punch don't threaten to KO, as not only does it have great neutral coverage for dealing meaningful chip damage, it also boasts immense utility in removing items, such Assault Vest from Landorus-T and Volcanion as well as Amoonguss's Rocky Helmet.
- Though generally not strong enough for revenge killing, Mach Punch is occasionally useful for sniping weakened foes and denying them an extra turn to be a threat. Fighting-weak threats, such as Mega Kangaskhan, Kyurem-B, and Bisharp, often have to fear taking too much chip damage, as it may leave them pinned by a Conkeldurr's Mach Punch, limiting their options severely. Mach Punch is also nifty in the same way for finishing off Focus Sash users such as Deoxys-A and Bisharp.
- Conkeldurr is best played aggressively in the early- or mid-game to match specific threats on the opposing team, leaning on its massive Special Defense, threatening damage output, and healing from Drain Punch to win out damage trades against key foes. Conkeldurr is one of the best switch-ins to Volcanion and Thundurus, for example, as Conkeldurr can reliably take their attacks and induced statuses while dealing significant damage in return, weakening them to a point where its teammates can then meaningfully capitalize. Conkeldurr is also one of the best ways to answer Mega Kangaskhan, as Conkeldurr's high base HP matches up well against Parental Bond Seismic toss, and it can just heal back its HP through a super effective Drain Punch.
- Mega Gengar stands out as one of Conkeldurr's best partners. Not only does it force favorable interactions for Conkeldurr, it also virtually prevents Landorus-T from switching into the field mid-turn, as its Intimidate and resistance to Fighting make it one of Conkeldurr's biggest answers. Volcanion and Mega Salamence also make for ideal partners, as they are great offensive answers to Amoonguss, with Conkeldurr checking Thundurus for them in return.
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/memoric.215000/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/charlotte.159382/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/qsns.230771/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/ken.594478/
Last edited: