Edit: yea I’ve been sniped on both of these topics, and tentacruel may be better than toxapex becuz it can get spin but tpex does get recover tho...
So I’ve been experimenting with some sets, and here’s what I’ve come up with.
Porygon2 @ Eviolite
Ability: normaliumz
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Conversion
Normally, Porygon2’s role is just to soak up attacks and heal it all back up. Here, my p2 takes on a more offensive role, and given the interactions with knock off and a held z crystal, p2 can never lose its Eviolite (unless I’m missing something; trick & knock off don’t work on it as far as I know). This is immensely powerful as it sets up very, very easily with the amazing bulk it gets & with z conversion, gets even more bulk! For comparison, after a z conversion + changing to electric typing + having max/max defense (which I will explain later), banded zygarde’s tarrows does less than 50%.
252+ Atk Choice Band Zygarde Thousand Arrows vs. +1 252 HP / 252+ Def Eviolite Porygon2: 140-168 (37.4 - 44.9%) -- guaranteed 3HKO (I changed p2’s typing to electric in the calc).
Now I chose electric typing, not only because of boltbeam coverage, but also it has the benefit of losing a fighting weakness and exchanging it for a ground weakness, in which you have ice beam for grounds! It also has the benefit of resisting specs LO tbolt (after conversion) from strong special electric attackers, if your team needs that.
As for why I chose max/max defensive bulk, it’s because 1) it helps it soak powerful knock off’s early/midgame, and 2) I noticed that revenge killing counterplay after p2 has setup usually takes in the form of strong physical moves/swords dance sweepers (ie Hoopa-U & SD M-Gallade). Investing in max/max def reduces the chance that my enemy can employ these methods successfully.
With all this raw bulk & a midgame/endgame setup opportunity (not that hard to find if you play properly), p2 sweeps with ease. Of course, z conversion p2 does come with flaws, as toxic, haze, and phazing completely stop setup (but then you still eviolite!).
*Sidenote: I did my testing on ladder, which can be argued as not be the most reliable source to be tested a set, but I’ld say I have played enough games to merit a decent analysis of this set.
I also wanted to point out the power of black sludge + leftovers on a bulky poison type. Essentially, one can heal 12% every turn (given that you are not burned nor stuck in partial trapping). A set highlighting this is ...
Toxapex @ Black Sludge
Ability: leftovers
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Scald
- Toxic Spikes
- Haze
- Recover
Pretty self explanatory what it does imo. It loses regenerator but it can be justified by the double lefties it gains per turn.