Approved by the all holy master kokoloko
Kudos to TRC. for the structure, project summary paragraph, and idea
The XY UU Pokemon of the Week is an (obviously) weekly project in the Underused forum. The idea originated from when we were reading many of the discussion threads, often the discussion is a bit lacking in the content department. Our goal here to is to highlight a threat in the metagame that isn't as well known, or isn't used as much as it should be, and provide a concise amount of information about that Pokemon; this will encourage creativity during teambuilding, and it will also provide an instant wealth of knowledge about that particular threat. This will hopefully be more helpful to the massive influx of new players in the UU subforum and promote better discussion within the individual threads. In this thread though, the main point of discussion should be about experiences with that particular Pokemon and the sets featured, and how it has helped in some way during your battling. Niche sets and gimmicks can be mentioned as well, but bear in mind that this thread is mainly an informative source of knowledge through what is written in the OP; discussion is not its main focus, though it is most certainly allowed. We need to make this point clear. Think of this like an article introducing you to a new threat that you can use; and try it out! Oh yeah, you can also VM me what you think the next POTW should be, bearing in mind that they will be on lesser-used threats!
Toxicroak took quite a fall with this generation with the weather nerf, even dropping to UU. This isn't necessarily bad though, as Toxicroak shines with access to the now buffed Gunk Shot and its ability, Dry Skin. Thanks to this, Toxicroak is one of the most reliable Fairy-type counters in UU, and on top of that, is the only Fighting-type that can hold its ground against them. Moreover, because of it's Water-type immunity, can easily switch into the bulky Water-types that plague the tier (bar Slowbro) and OHKO most of them with a +2 Gunk Shot.
What To Try:
Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Swords Dance
- Drain Punch
- Gunk Shot
- Sucker Punch
Toxicroak's ability, Dry Skin, is solely the reason Toxicroak is so viable as of now. It can can easily pop in on an expected Scald, especially from the likes of Crocune, set up with Swords Dance, and use Gunk Shot against the switch-in, which can OHKO or 2HKO most of the tier at +2, including Shaymin and Mega Blastoise after Stealth Rock damage. Drain Punch is used for STAB, obviously, and has the bonus of healing Toxicroak and making it harder to wear down. Common leads, notably Mienshao, takes heavy damage from Drain Punch, as with Umbreon, Snorlax, and Mega Absol. After a Swords Dance boost, Sucker Punch becomes a scary priority move that can be used to pick off fast and frail pokemon that seek to Revenge Kill Toxicroak. A Jolly nature is used to outspeed Adamant Heracross and Timid Chandelure, and then KO with the right coverage move. The EVs are similar to that of most Physical Attackers in that it maximizes the Attack and Speed stats. The item, Black Sludge, is for longevity purposes.
Other Options:
Toxicroak has a nice movepool to choose from, though the most prominent one that sticks out (and is not mentioned in the main set) is Knock Off. Knock can be used to deal with slow Pyschic-types, such as defensive Mew and Celebi, though the overall power from Sucker Punch outclasses it. Bulk up is another set up move that can be used over Swords Dance, and the EVs can can be moved over to a more bulky spread, but you lose out on the sheer power +2 attacks bring to the table.
Life Orb can be used in conjunction with an Adamant Nature for extra power, but loses out on precious recovery.
A Payapa Berry can be used as an effective way to deal with Slowbro, as you can use SD on the switch and on the incoming Psychic.
Teammates:
Checks & Counters:
Kudos to TRC. for the structure, project summary paragraph, and idea
The XY UU Pokemon of the Week is an (obviously) weekly project in the Underused forum. The idea originated from when we were reading many of the discussion threads, often the discussion is a bit lacking in the content department. Our goal here to is to highlight a threat in the metagame that isn't as well known, or isn't used as much as it should be, and provide a concise amount of information about that Pokemon; this will encourage creativity during teambuilding, and it will also provide an instant wealth of knowledge about that particular threat. This will hopefully be more helpful to the massive influx of new players in the UU subforum and promote better discussion within the individual threads. In this thread though, the main point of discussion should be about experiences with that particular Pokemon and the sets featured, and how it has helped in some way during your battling. Niche sets and gimmicks can be mentioned as well, but bear in mind that this thread is mainly an informative source of knowledge through what is written in the OP; discussion is not its main focus, though it is most certainly allowed. We need to make this point clear. Think of this like an article introducing you to a new threat that you can use; and try it out! Oh yeah, you can also VM me what you think the next POTW should be, bearing in mind that they will be on lesser-used threats!
This week's Pokemon is the Toxic Mouth Pokemon, Toxicroak!
Type:
/
Base Stats: 83 HP / 106 Atk / 65 Def / 86 SpA / 65 SpD / 85 Spe
Abilities: Anticipation / Dry Skin / Poison Touch
Introduction
Type:
Base Stats: 83 HP / 106 Atk / 65 Def / 86 SpA / 65 SpD / 85 Spe
Abilities: Anticipation / Dry Skin / Poison Touch
Toxicroak took quite a fall with this generation with the weather nerf, even dropping to UU. This isn't necessarily bad though, as Toxicroak shines with access to the now buffed Gunk Shot and its ability, Dry Skin. Thanks to this, Toxicroak is one of the most reliable Fairy-type counters in UU, and on top of that, is the only Fighting-type that can hold its ground against them. Moreover, because of it's Water-type immunity, can easily switch into the bulky Water-types that plague the tier (bar Slowbro) and OHKO most of them with a +2 Gunk Shot.
What To Try:
Toxicroak @ Black Sludge
Ability: Dry Skin
EVs: 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly
- Swords Dance
- Drain Punch
- Gunk Shot
- Sucker Punch
Toxicroak's ability, Dry Skin, is solely the reason Toxicroak is so viable as of now. It can can easily pop in on an expected Scald, especially from the likes of Crocune, set up with Swords Dance, and use Gunk Shot against the switch-in, which can OHKO or 2HKO most of the tier at +2, including Shaymin and Mega Blastoise after Stealth Rock damage. Drain Punch is used for STAB, obviously, and has the bonus of healing Toxicroak and making it harder to wear down. Common leads, notably Mienshao, takes heavy damage from Drain Punch, as with Umbreon, Snorlax, and Mega Absol. After a Swords Dance boost, Sucker Punch becomes a scary priority move that can be used to pick off fast and frail pokemon that seek to Revenge Kill Toxicroak. A Jolly nature is used to outspeed Adamant Heracross and Timid Chandelure, and then KO with the right coverage move. The EVs are similar to that of most Physical Attackers in that it maximizes the Attack and Speed stats. The item, Black Sludge, is for longevity purposes.
Other Options:
Toxicroak has a nice movepool to choose from, though the most prominent one that sticks out (and is not mentioned in the main set) is Knock Off. Knock can be used to deal with slow Pyschic-types, such as defensive Mew and Celebi, though the overall power from Sucker Punch outclasses it. Bulk up is another set up move that can be used over Swords Dance, and the EVs can can be moved over to a more bulky spread, but you lose out on the sheer power +2 attacks bring to the table.
Life Orb can be used in conjunction with an Adamant Nature for extra power, but loses out on precious recovery.
A Payapa Berry can be used as an effective way to deal with Slowbro, as you can use SD on the switch and on the incoming Psychic.
Teammates:
- Pokemon who can deal with Psychic-types
- Stealth Rock support is necessary to OHKO certain Pokemon like Mega-Blastoise
- Mega-Houndoom, who is usually troubled by Florges, and can also take on Psychic-types
Checks & Counters:
- Hippowdon
- Slowbro
- Crobat
- Nidoking
- Bulky Water / Ground types
- Mega-Aggron
- Mega Manectric
- Mega Houndoom
- Sableye
- Bulky Arcanine
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