sam-testings
What a beautiful face, I have found in this place
[OVERVIEW]
A Poison typing with the complementing ability Levitate leaves Koffing with useful resistances and only one weakness. Its great Defense stat allows it to be a nuisance to common Fighting-types such as Mienfoo and Timburr, and its wide movepool leaves it with plenty of coverage and support options such as Fire Blast and Will-O-Wisp. However, its shabby offensive stats give it an underwhelming offensive presence, which can allow Pokemon such as Guts Timburr, Pawniard, and Scraggy to set up on it. Additionally, its mediocre HP and bad Special Defense mean it often can't take special hits. It is also fairly reliant on its Eviolite being present to tank a lot of hits.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Pain Split
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Fire Blast / Clear Smog / Toxic Spikes
item: Eviolite
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 36 HP / 236 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp cripples physical threats, and its damage over time is almost always helpful. Pain Split is Koffing's only way to regain HP; it's not the most reliable method, but its capability to heal Koffing and damage the foe can prove quite useful. Sludge Bomb has good damaging capabilities and a nice 30% chance to inflict poison. Clear Smog is weaker than Sludge Bomb but can be used to prevent Koffing from being set up on; however, keep in mind that it doesn't remove boosts through Substitute. Fire Blast dents Steel-types like Magnemite and Ferroseed, which don't fear Poison-type moves. Toxic Spikes isn't a common move in LC, and Koffing is one of the more reliable Toxic Spikes setters. The move's ability to spread poison on foes upon entry causes it to work very well on defensive or balanced teams.
Set Details
========
Koffing's EVs are focused on defenses to get the maximum bulk possible from Eviolite while maintaining low HP to make Pain Split more impactful. A Bold nature further bolsters Koffing's strong Defense and hits an Eviolite-optimal number. Levitate is Koffing's only ability, effectively leaving it with one weakness.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Koffing's strong Defense and useful resistances, it can switch in on most Bug-, Fighting-, Poison-, and Fairy-types without fear. Examples include Snubbull, Spritzee, Foongus, and Mienfoo. Because of Koffing's low Speed, anticipate when Koffing will hit low HP so it can get the most health out of Pain Split in a single use. Be careful with Will-O-Wisp around Guts users such as Timburr, which gain an Attack boost from being statused. Avoid letting Koffing's Eviolite be removed by Knock Off from Pokemon such as Pawniard and Cottonee unless absolutely necessary, since this takes away a lot of Koffing's bulk. Be careful around special attackers such as Staryu and Magnemite because they can prey on Koffing's weaker Special Defense. Try to lure in Steel-types like Ferroseed and Pawniard to then deliver a nasty blow with Fire Blast. Toxic Spikes can be very useful for gradually wearing down the opponent's team, but make sure there are burns on physically offensive threats before setting it up. Spinners, Defoggers, and grounded Poison-types such as Staryu, Vullaby, and Foongus can easily remove Toxic Spikes, so try to remove them from the game as soon as possible. Pokemon with Mold Breaker such as Drilbur can hit Koffing with Ground-type moves, so be careful of them.
Team Options
========
Dark-types like Pawniard and Alolan Grimer can deal with the Psychic-types directed at Koffing and Pursuit trap them. Ghost-types can also deal with Psychic-types and prevent the opponent from using Rapid Spin to clear Toxic Spikes. Fighting-weak Pokemon like Ferroseed and Pawniard appreciate Koffing's ability to deal with Fighting-types. Spritzee can provide valuable Wish support and appreciates Koffing's ability to handle Poison-types. Gastly can use a strong Hex that takes advantage of Koffing's ability to easily spread status. Diglett can trap Poison-types, which allows Toxic Spikes to stay on the field.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic has perfect accuracy on Koffing, but spreading burn with Will-O-Wisp or poison with Toxic Spikes often proves more effective. Thunderbolt can be used to deal with Flying- and Water-types, but it isn't particularly strong and often won't fit in Koffing's moveset. Destiny Bond is useful for forcing a sweeper out or potentially taking it down with Koffing; unfortunately, Koffing is very slow, so Destiny Bond requires precise prediction. Berry Juice could be used instead of Eviolite; however, it makes Pain Split less reliable and takes away a huge portion of Koffing's bulk. Taunt would be a solid option if Koffing weren't one of the slowest Pokemon in the tier. Still, it can be an option to stop opposing Pokemon from recovering their health or setting entry hazards. Flamethrower has more PP and is more accurate than Fire Blast, but the drop in power is notable. Memento can give a setup sweeper a solid opportunity to boost itself with little risk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types can OHKO Koffing with a super effective STAB Psychic. Abra outspeeds Koffing, while Slowpoke takes little damage from any of Koffing's attacks.
**Drilbur**: Drilbur resist's Koffing's Poison-type attacks, can use Rapid Spin to remove Toxic Spikes, and can OHKO Koffing despite Levitate with a STAB super effective Mold Breaker Earthquake.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types resist both Poison- and Fire-type attacks. Onix can use Taunt on Koffing, effectively rendering it useless, but must be wary of switching in on Will-O-Wisp. Omanyte can set up Shell Smash on any set not carrying Thunderbolt.
**Water / Poison types**: Mareanie and Tentacool resist Koffing's common attacks, aren't 2HKOed by Thunderbolt, and can absorb Toxic Spikes.
**Timburr**: Guts Timburr can switch into Will-O-Wisp or Toxic Spikes to receive an Attack boost.
**RestTalk Users**: Common RestTalk users such as Munchlax and Mudbray take little damage from any of Koffing's attacks and don't care about being burned.
A Poison typing with the complementing ability Levitate leaves Koffing with useful resistances and only one weakness. Its great Defense stat allows it to be a nuisance to common Fighting-types such as Mienfoo and Timburr, and its wide movepool leaves it with plenty of coverage and support options such as Fire Blast and Will-O-Wisp. However, its shabby offensive stats give it an underwhelming offensive presence, which can allow Pokemon such as Guts Timburr, Pawniard, and Scraggy to set up on it. Additionally, its mediocre HP and bad Special Defense mean it often can't take special hits. It is also fairly reliant on its Eviolite being present to tank a lot of hits.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Will-O-Wisp
move 2: Pain Split
move 3: Sludge Bomb
move 4: Fire Blast / Clear Smog / Toxic Spikes
item: Eviolite
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold
evs: 36 HP / 236 Def / 236 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Will-O-Wisp cripples physical threats, and its damage over time is almost always helpful. Pain Split is Koffing's only way to regain HP; it's not the most reliable method, but its capability to heal Koffing and damage the foe can prove quite useful. Sludge Bomb has good damaging capabilities and a nice 30% chance to inflict poison. Clear Smog is weaker than Sludge Bomb but can be used to prevent Koffing from being set up on; however, keep in mind that it doesn't remove boosts through Substitute. Fire Blast dents Steel-types like Magnemite and Ferroseed, which don't fear Poison-type moves. Toxic Spikes isn't a common move in LC, and Koffing is one of the more reliable Toxic Spikes setters. The move's ability to spread poison on foes upon entry causes it to work very well on defensive or balanced teams.
Set Details
========
Koffing's EVs are focused on defenses to get the maximum bulk possible from Eviolite while maintaining low HP to make Pain Split more impactful. A Bold nature further bolsters Koffing's strong Defense and hits an Eviolite-optimal number. Levitate is Koffing's only ability, effectively leaving it with one weakness.
Usage Tips
========
Due to Koffing's strong Defense and useful resistances, it can switch in on most Bug-, Fighting-, Poison-, and Fairy-types without fear. Examples include Snubbull, Spritzee, Foongus, and Mienfoo. Because of Koffing's low Speed, anticipate when Koffing will hit low HP so it can get the most health out of Pain Split in a single use. Be careful with Will-O-Wisp around Guts users such as Timburr, which gain an Attack boost from being statused. Avoid letting Koffing's Eviolite be removed by Knock Off from Pokemon such as Pawniard and Cottonee unless absolutely necessary, since this takes away a lot of Koffing's bulk. Be careful around special attackers such as Staryu and Magnemite because they can prey on Koffing's weaker Special Defense. Try to lure in Steel-types like Ferroseed and Pawniard to then deliver a nasty blow with Fire Blast. Toxic Spikes can be very useful for gradually wearing down the opponent's team, but make sure there are burns on physically offensive threats before setting it up. Spinners, Defoggers, and grounded Poison-types such as Staryu, Vullaby, and Foongus can easily remove Toxic Spikes, so try to remove them from the game as soon as possible. Pokemon with Mold Breaker such as Drilbur can hit Koffing with Ground-type moves, so be careful of them.
Team Options
========
Dark-types like Pawniard and Alolan Grimer can deal with the Psychic-types directed at Koffing and Pursuit trap them. Ghost-types can also deal with Psychic-types and prevent the opponent from using Rapid Spin to clear Toxic Spikes. Fighting-weak Pokemon like Ferroseed and Pawniard appreciate Koffing's ability to deal with Fighting-types. Spritzee can provide valuable Wish support and appreciates Koffing's ability to handle Poison-types. Gastly can use a strong Hex that takes advantage of Koffing's ability to easily spread status. Diglett can trap Poison-types, which allows Toxic Spikes to stay on the field.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Toxic has perfect accuracy on Koffing, but spreading burn with Will-O-Wisp or poison with Toxic Spikes often proves more effective. Thunderbolt can be used to deal with Flying- and Water-types, but it isn't particularly strong and often won't fit in Koffing's moveset. Destiny Bond is useful for forcing a sweeper out or potentially taking it down with Koffing; unfortunately, Koffing is very slow, so Destiny Bond requires precise prediction. Berry Juice could be used instead of Eviolite; however, it makes Pain Split less reliable and takes away a huge portion of Koffing's bulk. Taunt would be a solid option if Koffing weren't one of the slowest Pokemon in the tier. Still, it can be an option to stop opposing Pokemon from recovering their health or setting entry hazards. Flamethrower has more PP and is more accurate than Fire Blast, but the drop in power is notable. Memento can give a setup sweeper a solid opportunity to boost itself with little risk.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Psychic-types**: Psychic-types can OHKO Koffing with a super effective STAB Psychic. Abra outspeeds Koffing, while Slowpoke takes little damage from any of Koffing's attacks.
**Drilbur**: Drilbur resist's Koffing's Poison-type attacks, can use Rapid Spin to remove Toxic Spikes, and can OHKO Koffing despite Levitate with a STAB super effective Mold Breaker Earthquake.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types resist both Poison- and Fire-type attacks. Onix can use Taunt on Koffing, effectively rendering it useless, but must be wary of switching in on Will-O-Wisp. Omanyte can set up Shell Smash on any set not carrying Thunderbolt.
**Water / Poison types**: Mareanie and Tentacool resist Koffing's common attacks, aren't 2HKOed by Thunderbolt, and can absorb Toxic Spikes.
**Timburr**: Guts Timburr can switch into Will-O-Wisp or Toxic Spikes to receive an Attack boost.
**RestTalk Users**: Common RestTalk users such as Munchlax and Mudbray take little damage from any of Koffing's attacks and don't care about being burned.
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