RU Suspect Coverage: Dugtrio

By Arifeen. Art by h_n_g_m_n.
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Dugtrio by h_n_g_m_n

Introduction

For the last few months, the RU playerbase had their eyes set on two Pokémon: Alomomola and Dugtrio, which they suspected would be unhealthy for the tier. Alomomola was suspected first, but it was voted to stay, as a large portion of the playerbase thought that Dugtrio was the main problem. Dugtrio was the reason Pokémon like Alomomola became extremely good. Alomomola synergized well with Dugtrio, as it usually uses Protect to scout Choice-locked Pokémon, especially Electric-types, and then switch to Dugtrio in order to trap and beat them. Not only that, Dugtrio's presence made the famous RegiMola core not only excellent, but extremely difficult to break. Pokémon such as Virizion, Camerupt, Houndoom, and Magneton are hindered by Dugtrio simply being in the tier, as they are effectively limited to getting only one KO per game. Similarly, Dugtrio also discouraged players from letting their grounded Pokémon such as Venusaur be weakened, as they would be prone to being revenge killed by it. Dugtrio also pressured defensive teams, as it could beat Registeel and Diancie, making Venusaur and Braviary harder to check. Not only that, but Dugtrio could even trap wall- and stallbreakers such as Virizion and allow its teammates to focus on Pokémon that Dugtrio didn't beat.

The only counterarguments to banning Dugtrio are that it is extremely frail and difficult to bring in safely, and that Pokémon that are prone to Dugtrio could run sets to be able to deal with it fine, for example, Shuca Berry Diancie, Sturdy or Shed Shell Magneton, and Curse Registeel. While the former is true, Dugtrio is relatively easy to switch in by running a U-turn user, like Uxie or Flygon, which are pretty common and good partners of Dugtrio. Diancie has no reliable recovery, and thus Shuca Berry becomes a burden at certain points, although it is a generally decent set; Magneton needs Choice Specs + Analytic to be the threat it is; and Registeel suffers greatly from 4MSS already, and running Curse forces it to give up one of its precious moves. Dugtrio also complemented Pokémon that like Rock- and Steel-types removed, such as Braviary and Calm Mind + Air Slash Sigilyph. The main problem with Dugtrio was that trapping Pokémon became so important and easy that any team that had a Dugtrio gave tremendous pressure to the opposing teams, forcing 50/50s every time they brought their Dugtrio-weak Pokémon in.

Dugtrio

This set is Dugtrio's usual set. Some teams prefer to use Choice Band, but Life Orb is more common. Aerial Ace is mandatory because it allows Dugtrio to trap and KO Virizion. Pursuit is used to hit Psychic-types, such as Hoopa and Meloetta, but it's kept mainly for Sigilyph, which tends to switch out fearing Stone Edge. Alternatively, Toxic can be used to hit Alomomola or Flygon and wear them down.

Conclusion

In the end, Dugtrio was banned with a 92% majority, one of the highest ever in RU. The tier is believed to be a much healthier one, with a lot more possibilities. Pokémon like Magneton, Camerupt, Virizion, and Houndoom will be much better, while Diancie has the freedom to choose from a variety of sets: Choice Specs, Substitute + Calm Mind, and offensive Trick Room. ORAS RU is almost ending, and it is satisfying to see the metagame turn to a healthier one.

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