[SET]
name: Physically Defensive Pivot
move 1: Giga Drain
move 2: Toxic / Stun Spore
move 3: Foul Play / Hex
move 4: Synthesis / Sludge Bomb
item: Heavy-Duty Boots / Rocky Helmet / Eject Button
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpD
tera type: Water / Steel
[SET COMMENTS]
Amoonguss is a strong physically defensive pivot thanks to a solid defensive typing with many relevant resistances to Pokemon like Florges, Milotic, and Pawmot while also functioning as a solid check to Rhydon and Mudsdale, two great status moves in Toxic and Stun Spore to punish switch-ins and defensive Pokemon like the aforementioned, and Regenerator. Toxic and Stun Spore are dependent on what team Amoonguss is on and what it wants to punish. Toxic is useful all-around for punishing common switch-ins like Bombirdier and Rotom-H, while Stun Spore is nicher but useful for punishing Pokemon immune to Toxic like Salazzle and Toxicroak. Foul Play hits Psychic-types like Hoopa and Delphox as well as some physical attackers like Ambipom harder than Giga Drain does. Hex also hits Hoopa, but has a more limited pool of targets in exchange for synergizing well with Toxic or Stun Spore. Synthesis is the most common option in the last moveslot since it gives Amoonguss access to reliable recovery, letting it stay in longer, but is not always needed thanks to Regenerator's recovery; however, Sludge Bomb threatens a Poison chance on switch-ins like Rotom-H, who would otherwise be unafraid of switching into Stun Spore variants of Amoonguss. Stomping Tantrum is also an option to specifically OHKO Salazzle, a Pokemon that Amoonguss is otherwise unable to do much against, and a better option in the Amoonguss mirror than Giga Drain, Foul Play, or Hex. Heavy-Duty Boots allows Amoonguss to avoid entry hazards damage, which can rack up quickly and impact its Regenerator recovery. Rocky Helmet lets Amoonguss be less passive and rack up chip damage on physical attackers like Grimmsnarl and Triple Axel Alolan Sandslash, while annoying U-turn users like Zoroark and Hisuian Decidueye. Eject Button synergizes well with Regenerator, giving Amoonguss' team a one-time pivot. Tera Water flips its matchups on threatening Fire-types like Arcanine and Paldean Tauros-F on its head, while Tera Steel is more useful to patch up its Psychic-type weakness versus Pokemon such as Espeon and Bruxish while still keeping its stellar Florges matchup.
Amoonguss' weaknesses to strong Fire-type Pokemon such as Salazzle, Arcanine, and Delphox will need to be managed by a partner. As such, it is recommended to run a Water-type like Milotic or Cramorant to cover these. Milotic can bring Amoonguss in on its own checks like Shaymin with a Flip Turn, while Cramorant can remove entry hazards and allow more flexibility in Amoonguss' item. In return, Amoonguss can switch into Grass- and Electric-types such as Hisuian Decidueye and Pawmot for them. Amoonguss' Psychic-type weakness is also prevalent, leaving it weak to Pokemon such as Bruxish and Espeon, so it is advised to use a Dark-type like Grimmsnarl or Bombirdier, which can switch into these threatening Dark-types. These Dark-types appreciate Amoonguss covering Florges for them. Amoonguss ends up fitting best on bulky offense teams that appreciate a more reliable defensive option than offensive pivot, so bulky offense staples like Hisuian Avalugg and Lanturn are recommended as partners. Other status from potential partners with Scald or Will-O-Wisp like Milotic and Rotom-H can boost Hex damage and prevent Amoonguss from taking as much damage from physical attackers.
[SET CREDITS]
Written by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/yunie.414072/
Quality checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/bella.567483/
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/uberskitty.355061/
Grammar checked by:
https://www.smogon.com/forums/members/user5.104/
Last edited:
