Agoongus
[Overview]
<p>Amoonguss is one in a long line of Grass- / Poison-types with decent stats and an okay movepool. So why would you ever consider Amoonguss for a spot on your team? Firstly, Amoonguss's Grass- / Poison typing is surprisingly useful in the DW OU metagame. With rain teams on the rise, Amoonguss can switch into many top threats found on rain teams, such as Zapdos and Keldeo without the uncommon Choice Specs, and threaten them with Hidden Power Ice or Giga Drain respectively. In a tier dominated by the likes of Terrakion and Keldeo, Amoonguss's Fighting-type resistance can allow the mushroom to switch into many powerful Fighting-type STAB moves.</p>
<p>What really sets Amoonguss apart from other Grass- / Poison-types is Regenerator, one of the best abilities in a fast-paced metagame like DW OU. Not having to waste a moveslot on a recovery move allows Amoonguss to make full use of its moveset. Additionally, Regenerator allows Amoonguss to heal off entry hazard damage as the mushroom regains HP when it switches out. To put icing on the cake, Amoonguss has access to Spore, arguably the best move in the game, which can potentially disable a threat for the duration of the match. If you're looking for a great switch-in to many of DW's top threats, look no further than Amoonguss.</p>
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Clear Smog / Stun Spore
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Shed Shell / Leftovers
nature: Bold
ability: Regenerator
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is easily Amoonguss's best set. Spore is what sets Amoonguss apart from other Grass- / Poison-types as it's one of the best moves in the game. Spore is useful for disabling Genesect and Heatran, both omnipresent Amoonguss checks in DW OU. With BW's sleep mechanics, a one hundred percent accurate sleep inducing move can incapacitate a Pokemon for the rest of the match. Giga Drain is Amoonguss's best STAB move, dealing good chunks of damage to Water-types, such as Keldeo and Politoed. Clear Smog prevents set-up sweepers from taking advantage of Amoonguss once the mushroom has already used Spore. However, Stun Spore is useful for crippling fast offensive Amoonguss switch-ins like Genesect and Garchomp. Hidden Power Ice is incredibly useful for taking down the popular Dragon-types in DW OU, namely Garchomp and Dragonite, both of whom take little from Giga Drain. However, Hidden Power Fire is a viable option for taking out Steel-types that may try to take advantage of Amoonguss, like Ferrothorn, Forretress, and Genesect.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Shed Shell is the preferred item, as Amoonguss is easily revenge killed by Chandelure. If Chandelure is not a huge problem for your team, feel free to use Leftovers. As mentioned previously, Regenerator is one of the best abilities in a fast paced metagame like DW OU, so increased longevity without the cost of a moveslot is always appreciated. The EVs maximize Amoonguss's physical bulk and HP to make the mushroom a fine physical wall. If you don't want to use a physical EV spread, feel free to use a specially defensive EV spread to shut down special attackers such as Zapdos and Keldeo more effectively. The spread for this set would be 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def and a Calm nature.</p>
<p>Since Amoonguss walls such a significant portion of the DW OU metagame, teammates that can sweep with those Pokemon incapacitated or removed make great partners. Tyranitar has good type synergy with Amoonguss and can take on the powerful special attackers that defeat Amoonguss, such as Chandelure and Latios. Additionally, Amoonguss can take on Keldeo, one of Tyranitar's biggest counters. In a similar aspect, Heatran also has decent type synergy with Amoonguss and can take on powerful special attackers for Amoonguss. Amoonguss takes on Keldeo and Breloom for Heatran, two large Heatran counters. Politoed is a fine Amoonguss teammate as it lessens the damage Fire-type moves do to Amoonguss with the its Drizzle ability.</p>
<p>Teammates that can deal with Genesect, one of Amoonguss's most popular checks, make for good partners. Notable examples of Pokemon that can deal with the metal bug are Heatran and Jellicent. Speaking of Heatran, it can switch in on Amoonguss without fear once Amoonguss has already put something to sleep, and proceed to finish off the mushroom with a Fire Blast. Thus, something that can take on Heatran effectively, such as Tyranitar or Jellicent, makes for a good Amoonguss partner. </p>
[Other Options]
<p>Amoonguss has access to some useful moves. Payback is useful for discouraging Chandelure from setting up Substitutes. Toxic is a legitimate option over Stun Spore if you don't care about paralysis. Amoonguss has access to Sunny Day and Rain Dance, so the aforementioned moves can be used on sun or rain teams respectively as a back-up plan. Synthesis can be used but is not recommended due to the number of sand and rain teams running rampant in DW OU. Synthesis is a fine option, however, if you're using Amoonguss on a sun team. Similarly, Growth can also be used on a sun team to make Amoonguss a bulky sweeper, but you're better off using Venusaur. Although Amoonguss's movepool is rather shallow, it has all it needs to be effective.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>More offensive teams should have no problem dealing with Amoonguss, despite the mushroom's walling capabilities. When playing against Amoonguss, it's necessary to maintain momentum with Pokemon such as Rotom-W, who lure in Amoonguss, and then Volt Switch out into something like Heatran who can scorch the mushroom with a Fire Blast. Genesect is a fine switch-in to Amoonguss once the mushroom has put something to asleep and can either take out the mushroom with an Ice Beam or Flamethrower, or maintain momentum with U-turn. Since most offensive teams rely on momentum, a Rapid Spin user is useful to ensure that you can continue to maintain momentum against Amoonguss users for the majority of the battle. Finally, Chandelure is popular on many offensive teams and can trap the mushroom with Shadow Tag and OHKO with Fire Blast or Overheat. Rain teams can use Manaphy to its full potential, as with Hydration, the Water-type can ignore Spore and takes little from Giga Drain after a Calm Mind. Even if Manaphy is not utilizing Calm Mind, it can set up a Tail Glow or two and finish off Amoonguss with an Ice Beam.</p>
<p>Stall teams have the most trouble against Amoonguss since the mushroom absorbs Toxic Spikes and Amoonguss doesn't care too much about entry hazards because or random Scald burns because of Regenerator. Finally, Amoonguss is immune to Toxic, one of stall's best ways of taking down teams. Thus, having a Heatran on your stall team will give you a great answer to teams running Amoonguss. With a status absorber, Heatran can freely switch into Amoonguss fearing nothing and can set up Stealth Rock on a predicted switch, Roar on a predicted switch, or use Lava Plume to scorch the mushroom.</p>
[Overview]
<p>Amoonguss is one in a long line of Grass- / Poison-types with decent stats and an okay movepool. So why would you ever consider Amoonguss for a spot on your team? Firstly, Amoonguss's Grass- / Poison typing is surprisingly useful in the DW OU metagame. With rain teams on the rise, Amoonguss can switch into many top threats found on rain teams, such as Zapdos and Keldeo without the uncommon Choice Specs, and threaten them with Hidden Power Ice or Giga Drain respectively. In a tier dominated by the likes of Terrakion and Keldeo, Amoonguss's Fighting-type resistance can allow the mushroom to switch into many powerful Fighting-type STAB moves.</p>
<p>What really sets Amoonguss apart from other Grass- / Poison-types is Regenerator, one of the best abilities in a fast-paced metagame like DW OU. Not having to waste a moveslot on a recovery move allows Amoonguss to make full use of its moveset. Additionally, Regenerator allows Amoonguss to heal off entry hazard damage as the mushroom regains HP when it switches out. To put icing on the cake, Amoonguss has access to Spore, arguably the best move in the game, which can potentially disable a threat for the duration of the match. If you're looking for a great switch-in to many of DW's top threats, look no further than Amoonguss.</p>
[SET]
name: Tank
move 1: Spore
move 2: Giga Drain
move 3: Clear Smog / Stun Spore
move 4: Hidden Power Ice / Hidden Power Fire
item: Shed Shell / Leftovers
nature: Bold
ability: Regenerator
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>This is easily Amoonguss's best set. Spore is what sets Amoonguss apart from other Grass- / Poison-types as it's one of the best moves in the game. Spore is useful for disabling Genesect and Heatran, both omnipresent Amoonguss checks in DW OU. With BW's sleep mechanics, a one hundred percent accurate sleep inducing move can incapacitate a Pokemon for the rest of the match. Giga Drain is Amoonguss's best STAB move, dealing good chunks of damage to Water-types, such as Keldeo and Politoed. Clear Smog prevents set-up sweepers from taking advantage of Amoonguss once the mushroom has already used Spore. However, Stun Spore is useful for crippling fast offensive Amoonguss switch-ins like Genesect and Garchomp. Hidden Power Ice is incredibly useful for taking down the popular Dragon-types in DW OU, namely Garchomp and Dragonite, both of whom take little from Giga Drain. However, Hidden Power Fire is a viable option for taking out Steel-types that may try to take advantage of Amoonguss, like Ferrothorn, Forretress, and Genesect.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Shed Shell is the preferred item, as Amoonguss is easily revenge killed by Chandelure. If Chandelure is not a huge problem for your team, feel free to use Leftovers. As mentioned previously, Regenerator is one of the best abilities in a fast paced metagame like DW OU, so increased longevity without the cost of a moveslot is always appreciated. The EVs maximize Amoonguss's physical bulk and HP to make the mushroom a fine physical wall. If you don't want to use a physical EV spread, feel free to use a specially defensive EV spread to shut down special attackers such as Zapdos and Keldeo more effectively. The spread for this set would be 252 HP / 252 SpD / 4 Def and a Calm nature.</p>
<p>Since Amoonguss walls such a significant portion of the DW OU metagame, teammates that can sweep with those Pokemon incapacitated or removed make great partners. Tyranitar has good type synergy with Amoonguss and can take on the powerful special attackers that defeat Amoonguss, such as Chandelure and Latios. Additionally, Amoonguss can take on Keldeo, one of Tyranitar's biggest counters. In a similar aspect, Heatran also has decent type synergy with Amoonguss and can take on powerful special attackers for Amoonguss. Amoonguss takes on Keldeo and Breloom for Heatran, two large Heatran counters. Politoed is a fine Amoonguss teammate as it lessens the damage Fire-type moves do to Amoonguss with the its Drizzle ability.</p>
<p>Teammates that can deal with Genesect, one of Amoonguss's most popular checks, make for good partners. Notable examples of Pokemon that can deal with the metal bug are Heatran and Jellicent. Speaking of Heatran, it can switch in on Amoonguss without fear once Amoonguss has already put something to sleep, and proceed to finish off the mushroom with a Fire Blast. Thus, something that can take on Heatran effectively, such as Tyranitar or Jellicent, makes for a good Amoonguss partner. </p>
[Other Options]
<p>Amoonguss has access to some useful moves. Payback is useful for discouraging Chandelure from setting up Substitutes. Toxic is a legitimate option over Stun Spore if you don't care about paralysis. Amoonguss has access to Sunny Day and Rain Dance, so the aforementioned moves can be used on sun or rain teams respectively as a back-up plan. Synthesis can be used but is not recommended due to the number of sand and rain teams running rampant in DW OU. Synthesis is a fine option, however, if you're using Amoonguss on a sun team. Similarly, Growth can also be used on a sun team to make Amoonguss a bulky sweeper, but you're better off using Venusaur. Although Amoonguss's movepool is rather shallow, it has all it needs to be effective.</p>
[Checks and Counters]
<p>More offensive teams should have no problem dealing with Amoonguss, despite the mushroom's walling capabilities. When playing against Amoonguss, it's necessary to maintain momentum with Pokemon such as Rotom-W, who lure in Amoonguss, and then Volt Switch out into something like Heatran who can scorch the mushroom with a Fire Blast. Genesect is a fine switch-in to Amoonguss once the mushroom has put something to asleep and can either take out the mushroom with an Ice Beam or Flamethrower, or maintain momentum with U-turn. Since most offensive teams rely on momentum, a Rapid Spin user is useful to ensure that you can continue to maintain momentum against Amoonguss users for the majority of the battle. Finally, Chandelure is popular on many offensive teams and can trap the mushroom with Shadow Tag and OHKO with Fire Blast or Overheat. Rain teams can use Manaphy to its full potential, as with Hydration, the Water-type can ignore Spore and takes little from Giga Drain after a Calm Mind. Even if Manaphy is not utilizing Calm Mind, it can set up a Tail Glow or two and finish off Amoonguss with an Ice Beam.</p>
<p>Stall teams have the most trouble against Amoonguss since the mushroom absorbs Toxic Spikes and Amoonguss doesn't care too much about entry hazards because or random Scald burns because of Regenerator. Finally, Amoonguss is immune to Toxic, one of stall's best ways of taking down teams. Thus, having a Heatran on your stall team will give you a great answer to teams running Amoonguss. With a status absorber, Heatran can freely switch into Amoonguss fearing nothing and can set up Stealth Rock on a predicted switch, Roar on a predicted switch, or use Lava Plume to scorch the mushroom.</p>