In-battle formes
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Abilities | |
| Tier |
| HP: | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack: | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Defense: | 95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Atk: | 70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sp. Def: | 90 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speed: | 70 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Strategies
- en
Overview
Poliwrath makes for a solid glue Pokemon in LGPE OU thanks to its unique defensive typing and decent overall bulk, which allow it to handle many top threats such as Alolan Dugtrio, Rhydon, and, most importantly, Mega Gyarados and Melmetal. Poliwrath also has a solid offensive movepool, including strong STAB attacks in Superpower and Waterfall, coverage moves like Earthquake, and more consistent methods of damaging the foe like Seismic Toss and Low Kick. However, the presence of Psychic-types such as Starmie, Mega Alakazam, and Mew and Flying-types such as Zapdos and Dragonite makes Poliwrath a complete liability at times. It is also weak to Electric-type moves, which are quite common in the metagame, and its rather mediocre Speed tier gives Pokemon such as Zapdos and Starmie the potential to easily take it out. Lastly, Poliwrath lacks reliable recovery, so it is prone to being worn down over time.
Tank
| Move 1 |
| ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move 2 | |||||||||||||||
| Move 3 | |||||||||||||||
| Move 4 |
|
| Item | |
|---|---|
| Nature |
|
Set Information
Strong STAB options such as Superpower and Waterfall allow Poliwrath to not remain too passive in a match. Alternatively, Low Kick can be used over Superpower as a reliable option against Pokemon like Melmetal, Mega Gyarados, and Snorlax and avoids lowering Poliwrath's stats, although one must note it's not the strongest attack against certain Pokemon like Eevee-S. Scald similarly can be used over Waterfall with a Relaxed nature to deal as much damage as Earthquake on Melmetal, hit physically defensive Pokemon harder, and spread burns, which can be devastating to many of the Pokemon Poliwrath checks. Toxic is used to cripple common switch-ins to Poliwrath like Mew, Starmie, and Zapdos. Seismic Toss provides a more reliable method of damage output against Pokemon that resist Poliwrath's STAB moves like Clefable and Mega Venusaur, in addition to being a damaging move that's still reliable when Poliwrath gets burned. Alternatively, Earthquake is notable for hitting Alolan Muk and Mega Charizard X. An Impish nature is used to increase Poliwrath's bulk, giving it more opportunities to switch into the Pokemon it checks without lowering its damage output or Speed. However, when using Scald over Waterfall, Relaxed is preferred, which still gives a Defense boost while dropping Speed, one of Poliwrath's less important stats.
Usage Tips
Poliwrath's resistances to Steel, Rock, and Dark and good bulk can be utilized to easily switch it in on Pokemon like Melmetal and Mega Gyarados. Superpower is mainly used as a strong attacking option if there are no better options. It is recommended to switch out Poliwrath after Superpower has been used, since the stat drops make Poliwrath easier to take advantage of. Earthquake is generally to be used when a Pokemon like Alolan Muk or Gengar is switching in rather than as a regular attack. When against Melmetal, Poliwrath can use either Scald or Earthquake to soften it up before using Superpower. However, one must be wary of Thunder Punch.
Team Options
Alolan Muk can take advantage of the Psychic-types that generally counter Poliwrath thanks to its Dark typing, in addition to being a reliable check to Gengar. In return, Poliwrath can handle Pokemon such as Mega Gyarados and Melmetal. Eevee-S's Sparkly Swirl can be used to heal status off Poliwrath, as Poliwrath doesn't like being paralyzed or burned. It also means that Poliwrath can more freely utilize moves like Rest. Mega Aerodactyl or even regular Aerodactyl can take care of the Flying-types that Poliwrath struggles with while also setting up Stealth Rock to increase the potency of Poliwrath's damage output.
Other Options
Poliwrath has access to Hypnosis, which is rare among Pokemon of its type and can be utilized to cripple common switch-ins like Mega Venusaur. It's rather inaccurate, though. Ice Punch can serve as a good coverage move against Dragonite and Mega Venusaur, but it otherwise has little use. Rest can be used in conjunction with Eevee-S to give Poliwrath recovery, but it isn't the most reliable, since at minimum this strategy takes four turns to execute. A more defensive set can be utilized to take advantage of Poliwrath's good bulk and defensive typing, but this set often lacks firepower and as such can be quite passive.
Checks and Counters
Psychic-types: Pokemon such as Mew and Starmie can easily outspeed Poliwrath and take it out, in addition to not taking much damage from Poliwrath's moves. They do fear Toxic, however.
Dragonite: Dragonite doesn't appreciate Toxic or the niche Ice Punch, but it can switch in on Poliwrath's other moves and take advantage of it by setting up with Agility.
Electric-types: Zapdos is one of the most notable counters to Poliwrath, as it resists Poliwrath's Fighting-type STAB attacks, is immune to Ground, outspeeds it, and can easily take it out with Thunderbolt. Electrode doesn't like switching into most of Poliwrath's moves, but it similarly can outspeed Poliwrath and 2HKO with Thunderbolt.
Mega Venusaur: Mega Venusaur can tank any hit from Poliwrath and easily recover with Mega Drain. It is also immune to Toxic.
Credits
- Written by Melons-N-Soda
- Quality checked by Theorymon and Eve
- Grammar checked by Lumari and Rabia
