Palossand
Sand Castle Pokémon
Pokedex Number: 770
Type(s) - Ghost/Ground
Base Stats - 85 HP / 75 Atk / 110 Def / 100 SpA / 75 SpD / 35 Spe
Ability(s):
Water Compaction: Increases Defense by 2 stages every time it is hit by a Water-type move
Hidden Ability:
Sand Veil: Raises the Pokémon’s evasion during a sandstorm by one level.
Level Up Moves:
Lv0-Harden
Lv0-Absorb
Lv0-Astonish
Lv0-Sand Attack
Lv14-Sand Tomb
Lv18-Mega Drain
Lv23-Bulldoze
Lv27-Hypnosis
Lv32-Iron Defense
Lv36-Giga Drain
Lv41-Shadow Ball
Lv47-Earth Power
Lv54-Shore Up
Lv60-Sandstorm
TM Moves:
TM06-Toxic
TM10-Hidden Power
TM17-Protect
TM21-Frustration
TM26-Earthquake
TM27-Return
TM29-Psychic
TM30-Shadow Ball
TM32-Double Team
TM36-Sludge Bomb
TM37-Sandstorm
TM39-Rock Tomb
TM42-Facade
TM44-Rest
TM45-Attract
TM48-Round
TM53-Energy Ball
TM56-Fling
TM60-Quash
TM63-Embargo
TM68-Giga Impact
TM69-Rock Polish
TM71-Stone Edge
TM78-Bulldoze
TM80-Rock Slide
TM83-Infestation
TM87-Swagger
TM88-Sleep Talk
TM90-Substitute
TM100-Confide
Egg Moves:
Amnesia
Destiny Bond
Ancient Power
Stockpile
Swallow
Spit Up
Overview:
Palossand is an odd Pokemon. With a unique ability that encourages you to be hit by water moves as well as a signature move that heals up to half your max HP, and heals fully in sand, Palossand has potential for some interesting defensive sets. With 85/110/75 defenses, it can survive quite a bit thanks to it's good selection of defensive moves. The fact that it's a ground type that gets access to a number of grass moves just makes it even more odd.
Potential Sets:
Defensive Attacker
Palossand@Weakness Policy
Ability: Water Compaction
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpAtk
Bold Nature
-Amnesia/Stockpile
-Shore Up
-Earth Power/Giga Drain
-Shadow Ball
Set Description:
With an Amnesia boost, Palossand can survive nearly all supereffective hits. With a number of common weaknesses, it shouldn't be hard to activate Weakness Policy. +2 to offenses should allow Palossand to do solid damage while soaking up hits itself, pun unintended. With the given EV spread, Palossand has a 66% chance of surviving a Choice Banded Waterfall from an Adamant Huge Power Azumarril, and thanks to Water Compaction, it will only need to survive one to tank the rest. With it's defense already solid, Amnesia is the best option to safeguard against special moves that will tear Palossand apart unboosted, but Stockpile is another option if physical attackers are a big concern. Shore Up is a must for keeping Palossand alive, and Earth Power + Shadow Ball provide some good coverage and STAB. Alternatively, Giga Drain can be used in place of Earth Power to do major damage to water types and keep you healthy at the same time.
Mixed Wall
Palossand@Leftovers
Ability: Water Compaction
EVs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpDef
Bold Nature
-Amnesia/Stockpile/Protect
-Shore Up
-Earth Power
-Toxic
Set Description:
Similar to the previous set, this one is more defensively focused. Toxic is your main method of inflicting damage here. Once again, Amnesia/Stockpile and Shore Up are important, though Protect can be used in place of boosting moves to buy more time for poison to take effect. Earth Power is ideal for hitting Steel and Poison types that are immune to Toxic and is easily your best offensive move.
Other Options:
-Earthquake is your best choice if you want to run a physical Palossand.
-Stone Edge and Rock Slide are good options for running a mixed or physical attacking set, as they pair nicely with Earthquake.
-Hypnosis is an inaccurate sleep move that can be good if you want to play the chance game.
-Rock Polish can be used for a sweeping set, but Palossand is so slow already it won't outspeed everything even at +2.
-Iron Defense can boost your defense to amazing levels, but without Amnesia you're very open to special attacks.
Personal Opinion:
Palossand is easily one of my favorite Pokemon of Gen 7, and it's stats and movepool certainly aren't bad. I don't see it being much of a contender in OU, but I think it'll make a good splash in UU. Only time will tell, I suppose.
Note: I haven't actually been on here in ages, so if my post is missing something important, just say the word and I'll bring it up to scratch. I'll likely be playing around with this guy for a while so if I come up with new set ideas I'll be sure to edit the post.
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