[OVERVIEW]
* Porygon2 has great 85 / 90 / 95 bulk, coupled to Eviolite which boost its defenses, allows it to being one of the bulkiest defensive Pokemon in the metagame and check a bunch of threats such as Latias, Mega Sharpedo or Zygarde-10% with the adequate support
* It has also access to Trace, a good defensive ability which allows to Porygon2 to check the foe with its own ability such as Volcanion and Chandelure, or gain some useful defensive abilities such as Prankster or Poison Heal temporary
* Porygon2's movepool is expansive, as it has access to support moves such Recover, Toxic, Foul Play and Thunder Wave, and some offensive moves such as Discharge, Ice Beam and Tri Attack, allowing to run diverse sets and not sticking to the common set
* Its Normal-type is average in the actual metagame, it gives it no resistances, a immunity to the Ghost-type which is not very common, and a weakness to the most present offensive type, the Fighting-type
* It's also very vulnerable to Knock Off, threats like Bisharp can cripple it because of its reliance on Eviolite, Toxic poison makes Porygon 2 unreliable and kills its longevity, residual damage makes Porygon2 not able to pivot decently due to the lack of passive recovery without leftovers
* Its easily walled by some bulky Pokemon and be used as setup fodder by bulky setup sweepers such as Defensive Togekiss, Clefable and CroCune
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Discharge / Tri Attack
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Trace
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Recover is Porygon2's main way to recover, as it helps to keep it healthy, making it being able to pivot throughout the battle and staying healthy to reliably check threats such Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Starmie
* Discharge, together with Ice Beam, forms the BoltBeam combo, which deal huge damage to Water-types and hits almost everything for neutral damage, and has 30% chance to paralyze the foe if it doesn't already run Thunder Wave, if using it, run Thunderbolt for slighty more damage
* STAB Tri Attack hits decently hard, and can randomly burn, paralyse or freeze the opposing Pokemon, but BoltBeam is prefered since it provides better coverage
* Ice Beam hits major threats such as Dragon-, Normal- and Ground-types super effectively
* Toxic is useful to stall out opposing's walls and weaken it considerably
* While Thunder Wave can help to cripple more offensive threats by halving their speed, to allow slower teammates an easier time against fast sweepers
* Foul Play helps Porygon2 to beat physical setup sweepers such Doublade or Decidueye more easily
* Hidden Power Fire is a more conventional option to beat Steel-types such as Scizor, Forretress, and Bisharp, but it fits better with the ability Download, as +1 Hidden Power Fire 2HKO Bisharp and can OKHO Forretress and Scizor
Set Details
========
* 248 EVs in HP in order to maximize Porygon2's overall bulk
* 164 EVs in Defense plus a Bold nature lets Porygon2 take physical hits, the rest is dumped into Special Defense, allowing it to take some Special Attackers such as Raikou or Volcanion
* An alternative EV spread of 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD with a Calm nature allows Porygon2 to tank special hits better while still having good physical bulk
* Eviolite is the best item to run, as it boost Porygon2's defenses and gives it a huge bulk
* Trace is the ability that fits better with the defensive set, as it can copy the foe's ability temporary, Donwload and Analytic are the two other abilities you can use to have more offensive presence
Usage Tips
========
* Porygon2 is used as a great catch-all check to many threats such as Mega Sharpedo or Latias
* Porygon2's health must be near full to check the threats it needs to, use Recover liberally to keep it healty, also, avoid as possible switching on residual damage such as hazard stack
* However, it must watch out for opposing Knock Off users such Gliscor and Mew, as it needs its Eviolite to reliably check opposing threats
* Switch out to a teammate if facing a bulky setup sweeper such as Clefable to avoid being a setup fodder
* Against offensive threats, you should use a Statut then heal with Recover, and wear them down slowly with attacks
* Scout for moves that can wear down Porygon2, such as Taunt + Superpower Hydreigon or Knock Off Scizor
* Switch out against Fighting-types, as Porygon2's Defense can't take their super effective STAB moves
Team Options
========
* Porygon2 fits more in Balanced / bulkier teams, staples such as Clefable, Amoonguss or Gliscor are perfect teammates for it, they can absorb Knock Off without any problem in the most cases, doesn't worry about switching on Toxic or other status moves, unless Clefable aren't Magic Guard, but Unaware set often run Heal Bell, check Fighting-types and attacks decently and stop many setup sweepers with Unaware, Clear Smog or Taunt
* Porygon2's weakness to Toxic poison and Knock Off means it needs a Cleric which can also switch on Knock Off, Togekiss easily do that, it can also keep hazard off and check Fighting-types in the meantime
* Mantine is also a good hazard remowal that pairs well with Porygon2, as it can check common Fighting-types, especially Swords Dance Cobalion, a major threat that can use Porygon2 to setup fodder if it doesn't pack Thunder Wave
* Tentacruel and Nidoqueen are two Pokemon that can Toxic Spikes, which helps Porygon2 to beat opposing walls without Toxic, they can also absorb Toxic Spikes thanks to their Poison-type and Tentacruel can use Rapid Spin to clear off hazards and Haze to prevents setup
* Porygon2 also struggles against defensive teams, so having a stallbreaker such as Gengar or Keldeo on its team is helpful
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Porygon2 can be used with an Offensive Set with Trick Room, with Download, a Quiet nature, 0 IVs Speed and 252 EVs in Attack and HPs, ensuring that Porygon2 outspeeds as many Pokemon as possible under Trick Room
* A Z-Conversion set with Download as ability can makes a good alternative to the Trick Room set if you want to run Porygon2 offensively
* Magic Coat is also viable, as it can surprise foes that try to Taunt or status Porygon2, but it suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, means it's hard to find a slot to fit Magic Coat in.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types and attacks**: Pokemon such as Keldeo, Cobalion and Mienshao threaten Porygon2 with their powerful STABs that hits Porygon2 super effectively due to its Normal-type, Porygon2 is also weak to the common coverage move such Focus Blast and Superpower, allowing some attackers such as Gengar, Scizor and Alakazam to beat Porygon2 despite its high defenses
**Knock Off**: Porygon2 becomes weak without its Eviolite, as it becomes not able to perform and check threats it should do, this is why it should avoid facing Knock Off users such as Mega Absol, Krookodile or Clefable, as they can cripple severly Porygon2
**Trick Users**: Trick is another way to remove Porygon2's Eviolite, leaving it unable to switch on attacks and locking it into one move, which prevents it from effectively utilizing its support movepool, Togekiss and Gengar often run Trick with a Choice item set
**Taunt and Encore users**: Hydreigon, Keldeo and Gengar can all shut down Porygon2 by preventing it from heal with Recover or spread status, and can weaken it with their powerful attacks or force it out, Encore users such as Alakazam and Whimsicott also annoy Porygon2 by switch-on it while using Recover, and stop it with Encore, which forces out Porygon2
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Bulky setup sweepers, especially Calm Mind varients, such as Clefable, Suicune or Sub Calm Mind Raikou, can use Porygon2 as setup fodder and boost their stats without big troubles, they don't care about status and can recover from Porygon2's hits or tank it easily. Swords Scizor is also a big issue, as it can setup freely on Porygon2 if this last one lacks Foul Play or Hidden Power Fire
**Residual Damage**: Status, weather and entry hazards can wear down Porygon2, preventing it from switching in on threats.
* Porygon2 has great 85 / 90 / 95 bulk, coupled to Eviolite which boost its defenses, allows it to being one of the bulkiest defensive Pokemon in the metagame and check a bunch of threats such as Latias, Mega Sharpedo or Zygarde-10% with the adequate support
* It has also access to Trace, a good defensive ability which allows to Porygon2 to check the foe with its own ability such as Volcanion and Chandelure, or gain some useful defensive abilities such as Prankster or Poison Heal temporary
* Porygon2's movepool is expansive, as it has access to support moves such Recover, Toxic, Foul Play and Thunder Wave, and some offensive moves such as Discharge, Ice Beam and Tri Attack, allowing to run diverse sets and not sticking to the common set
* Its Normal-type is average in the actual metagame, it gives it no resistances, a immunity to the Ghost-type which is not very common, and a weakness to the most present offensive type, the Fighting-type
* It's also very vulnerable to Knock Off, threats like Bisharp can cripple it because of its reliance on Eviolite, Toxic poison makes Porygon 2 unreliable and kills its longevity, residual damage makes Porygon2 not able to pivot decently due to the lack of passive recovery without leftovers
* Its easily walled by some bulky Pokemon and be used as setup fodder by bulky setup sweepers such as Defensive Togekiss, Clefable and CroCune
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Recover
move 2: Discharge / Tri Attack
move 3: Ice Beam
move 4: Toxic / Thunder Wave
item: Eviolite
ability: Trace
nature: Bold
evs: 248 HP / 164 Def / 96 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Recover is Porygon2's main way to recover, as it helps to keep it healthy, making it being able to pivot throughout the battle and staying healthy to reliably check threats such Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Starmie
* Discharge, together with Ice Beam, forms the BoltBeam combo, which deal huge damage to Water-types and hits almost everything for neutral damage, and has 30% chance to paralyze the foe if it doesn't already run Thunder Wave, if using it, run Thunderbolt for slighty more damage
* STAB Tri Attack hits decently hard, and can randomly burn, paralyse or freeze the opposing Pokemon, but BoltBeam is prefered since it provides better coverage
* Ice Beam hits major threats such as Dragon-, Normal- and Ground-types super effectively
* Toxic is useful to stall out opposing's walls and weaken it considerably
* While Thunder Wave can help to cripple more offensive threats by halving their speed, to allow slower teammates an easier time against fast sweepers
* Foul Play helps Porygon2 to beat physical setup sweepers such Doublade or Decidueye more easily
* Hidden Power Fire is a more conventional option to beat Steel-types such as Scizor, Forretress, and Bisharp, but it fits better with the ability Download, as +1 Hidden Power Fire 2HKO Bisharp and can OKHO Forretress and Scizor
Set Details
========
* 248 EVs in HP in order to maximize Porygon2's overall bulk
* 164 EVs in Defense plus a Bold nature lets Porygon2 take physical hits, the rest is dumped into Special Defense, allowing it to take some Special Attackers such as Raikou or Volcanion
* An alternative EV spread of 252 HP / 120 Def / 136 SpD with a Calm nature allows Porygon2 to tank special hits better while still having good physical bulk
* Eviolite is the best item to run, as it boost Porygon2's defenses and gives it a huge bulk
* Trace is the ability that fits better with the defensive set, as it can copy the foe's ability temporary, Donwload and Analytic are the two other abilities you can use to have more offensive presence
Usage Tips
========
* Porygon2 is used as a great catch-all check to many threats such as Mega Sharpedo or Latias
* Porygon2's health must be near full to check the threats it needs to, use Recover liberally to keep it healty, also, avoid as possible switching on residual damage such as hazard stack
* However, it must watch out for opposing Knock Off users such Gliscor and Mew, as it needs its Eviolite to reliably check opposing threats
* Switch out to a teammate if facing a bulky setup sweeper such as Clefable to avoid being a setup fodder
* Against offensive threats, you should use a Statut then heal with Recover, and wear them down slowly with attacks
* Scout for moves that can wear down Porygon2, such as Taunt + Superpower Hydreigon or Knock Off Scizor
* Switch out against Fighting-types, as Porygon2's Defense can't take their super effective STAB moves
Team Options
========
* Porygon2 fits more in Balanced / bulkier teams, staples such as Clefable, Amoonguss or Gliscor are perfect teammates for it, they can absorb Knock Off without any problem in the most cases, doesn't worry about switching on Toxic or other status moves, unless Clefable aren't Magic Guard, but Unaware set often run Heal Bell, check Fighting-types and attacks decently and stop many setup sweepers with Unaware, Clear Smog or Taunt
* Porygon2's weakness to Toxic poison and Knock Off means it needs a Cleric which can also switch on Knock Off, Togekiss easily do that, it can also keep hazard off and check Fighting-types in the meantime
* Mantine is also a good hazard remowal that pairs well with Porygon2, as it can check common Fighting-types, especially Swords Dance Cobalion, a major threat that can use Porygon2 to setup fodder if it doesn't pack Thunder Wave
* Tentacruel and Nidoqueen are two Pokemon that can Toxic Spikes, which helps Porygon2 to beat opposing walls without Toxic, they can also absorb Toxic Spikes thanks to their Poison-type and Tentacruel can use Rapid Spin to clear off hazards and Haze to prevents setup
* Porygon2 also struggles against defensive teams, so having a stallbreaker such as Gengar or Keldeo on its team is helpful
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Porygon2 can be used with an Offensive Set with Trick Room, with Download, a Quiet nature, 0 IVs Speed and 252 EVs in Attack and HPs, ensuring that Porygon2 outspeeds as many Pokemon as possible under Trick Room
* A Z-Conversion set with Download as ability can makes a good alternative to the Trick Room set if you want to run Porygon2 offensively
* Magic Coat is also viable, as it can surprise foes that try to Taunt or status Porygon2, but it suffers from four-moveslot syndrome, means it's hard to find a slot to fit Magic Coat in.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types and attacks**: Pokemon such as Keldeo, Cobalion and Mienshao threaten Porygon2 with their powerful STABs that hits Porygon2 super effectively due to its Normal-type, Porygon2 is also weak to the common coverage move such Focus Blast and Superpower, allowing some attackers such as Gengar, Scizor and Alakazam to beat Porygon2 despite its high defenses
**Knock Off**: Porygon2 becomes weak without its Eviolite, as it becomes not able to perform and check threats it should do, this is why it should avoid facing Knock Off users such as Mega Absol, Krookodile or Clefable, as they can cripple severly Porygon2
**Trick Users**: Trick is another way to remove Porygon2's Eviolite, leaving it unable to switch on attacks and locking it into one move, which prevents it from effectively utilizing its support movepool, Togekiss and Gengar often run Trick with a Choice item set
**Taunt and Encore users**: Hydreigon, Keldeo and Gengar can all shut down Porygon2 by preventing it from heal with Recover or spread status, and can weaken it with their powerful attacks or force it out, Encore users such as Alakazam and Whimsicott also annoy Porygon2 by switch-on it while using Recover, and stop it with Encore, which forces out Porygon2
**Bulky Setup Sweepers**: Bulky setup sweepers, especially Calm Mind varients, such as Clefable, Suicune or Sub Calm Mind Raikou, can use Porygon2 as setup fodder and boost their stats without big troubles, they don't care about status and can recover from Porygon2's hits or tank it easily. Swords Scizor is also a big issue, as it can setup freely on Porygon2 if this last one lacks Foul Play or Hidden Power Fire
**Residual Damage**: Status, weather and entry hazards can wear down Porygon2, preventing it from switching in on threats.
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