Swampert
QC: [3/3]
GP: [1/1]
[OVERVIEW]
* Swampert has been a strong defensive Pokemon for years.
* 100 / 90 / 90 bulk lets it tank a lot of hits.
* Water / Ground typing provides several useful resistances and an immunity while only having one weakness.
* Swampert possesses useful utility options like Stealth Rock and Roar.
* 110 / 85 attacking stats, a good movepool, and access to Scald mean defensive sets aren't totally passive.
* Swampert lacks reliable recovery and can be worn down throughout a match.
* Grass-types place immense pressure on Swampert.
[SET]
name: Defensive
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Earthquake
move 3: Scald
move 4: Roar / Toxic / Ice Beam
item: Leftovers
ability: Torrent
nature: Relaxed
evs: 240 HP / 252 Def / 16 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Stealth Rock provides entry hazard damage.
* Earthquake is a powerful, reliable STAB option.
* Scald is the secondary STAB move and has a 30% burn chance.
* Roar lets Swampert phaze opposing Pokemon and accumulate Stealth Rock damage.
* Toxic poisons foes like Latias, Hydreigon, Tsareena, and Primarina on the switch and provides more residual damage.
* Ice Beam prevents Gliscor from setting up and hits Grass-types and the Dragon-types that are immune to Ground-type attacks, such as Latias and Hydreigon.
Set Details
========
* 240 HP EVs hits a Leftovers number, 252 Defense EVs allow Swampert to take physical attacks as well as possible, and the remaining EVs provide Swampert with a little more special bulk.
* Leftovers is mandatory because Swampert has no other viable source of recovery.
* Torrent is the primary ability because Swampert is prone to being worn down throughout a match and can take advantage of this to fire off boosted Scalds.
* An alternative EV spread of 240 HP / 16 Def / 252 SpD with a Sassy nature lets Swampert take special hits effectively.
Usage Tips
========
* Swampert serves as an effective defensive wall and phazer/shuffler.
* Mixed attacking stats let it take on Fire-types that try to inflict burn.
* Focus on tanking resisted physical hits and threatening the opponent's team back.
* Pivot into dangerous physical attackers like Mega Aerodactyl, Bisharp, Krookodile, Scizor, and Mega Sharpedo.
* Lack of reliable recovery means that it is often better suited to more offensive teams unless provided with Wish support.
Team Options
========
* Swampert fits well on bulky offense and balance teams.
* Good partners take advantage of Grass-types or benefit from Swampert's set of resistances.
* Scizor, Latias, Hydreigon, Togekiss, Infernape, and Crobat can all pressure Grass-types.
* Swampert benefits from Wish and cleric support from Pokemon like Blissey and Clefable.
* Swampert synergizes well with Fairy-types because it resists Fire-, Poison-, and Steel-type attacks, and most Fairy-types are specially bulky, can take on Ground-immune Dragon-types like Latias and Hydreigon, and can provide Swampert with Wish and cleric support.
* Swampert appreciates Steel-type teammates because it resists Fire-type attacks and Steel-types resist Grass-type attacks.
* Scizor in particular makes a good teammate because its typing synergizes very well with Swampert's and it can provide hazard control with Defog.
* Like Scizor, Forretress possesses a typing that complements Swampert's defensively and has access to utility moves that Swampert benefits from (in this case, Spikes).
* Mega Aerodactyl can KO or force out most Grass-types.
* Other Water-types also complement Swampert well because Swampert can switch in on Electric-type attacks.
* Partners like Raikou, Celebi, Latias, and Toxicroak can set up on the bulky Water-types that wall Swampert.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
* Protect helps scout and patches up Swampert's lack of reliable recovery to some extent by giving it extra turns of Leftovers recovery.
* Mirror Coat is a nice surprise for special attackers that think they can break Swampert.
* Choice Band can work because Swampert has good offensive typing, an expansive attacking movepool, and solid bulk even without investment, but it's outclassed by common physical attackers and Swampert's Speed holds it back.
* Rest + Sleep Talk can give Swampert semi-reliable recovery, but it comes at the cost of Swampert's utility options.
* Damp can be used to prevent Explosion or Self-Destruct.
* Curse sets can be used, but they take a long time to set up and Swampert lacks reliable recovery.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Grass-types**: Grass-types can switch into Swampert's STAB attacks with impunity and prey upon its quadruple weakness. Celebi in particular can force Swampert out and take the opportunity to set up a Nasty Plot. Tsareena can switch in without much risk and remove Swampert's Stealth Rock with Rapid Spin. Decidueye fears Scald burns, but it can set up on Swampert and force it out if it comes in on something other than Scald or avoids the burn.
**Bulky Water-types**: Swampert can't break bulky Water-types and they can threaten it back with Scald. Many bulky Water-types also have recovery and can wear Swampert down. Mantine is immune to both Earthquake and Scald and can use Defog to remove Stealth Rock and Toxic or a STAB move to wear Swampert down. Suicune can Rest off what little damage it takes from Earthquake and pressure Swampert down with Scald.
**Latias**: Latias takes very little damage even from Ice Beam and can KO Swampert with powerful Draco Meteors. It also has access to Defog to remove Swampert's Stealth Rock.
**Hydreigon**: Like Latias, Hydreigon can come in on any of Swampert's STAB moves (although it takes a bit more from Ice Beam than Latias does) and threaten it out with powerful STAB moves.
**Toxic and Burn**: Status that causes residual damage and nullifies Swampert's Leftovers recovery allows Swampert to be worn down very quickly.
**Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers that can hit Swampert neutrally, such as Primarina, Starmie, and Hydreigon, can pressure Swampert heavily because it lacks reliable recovery and its defensive stats are good, but not amazing.
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