
QC: Zeph, Darkamber8828
GP: Calm Pokemaster, Gen. Empoleon
[OVERVIEW]
<p>Baltoy is a very underrated Pokemon. It can support its team very well with its access to Rapid Spin, Stealth Rock, Trick Room, and dual screens. Baltoy is also one of the few Pokemon that resists the EdgeQuake combination, allowing it to check a large number of Pokemon in conjunction with its large offensive movepool and decent offensive stats. Overall, though Baltoy might not have the best stats in the metagame, its movepool and typing give it a niche, making it a solid choice for any team.</p>
[SET]
name: Rapid Spin
move 1: Rapid Spin
move 2: Stealth Rock
move 3: Earth Power
move 4: Ice Beam / Toxic
item: Eviolite / Oran Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold / Relaxed
evs: 196 HP / 236 Def / 36 SpA / 36 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Baltoy's access to both Rapid Spin and Stealth Rock allow it to support its team with competence. Earth Power should be used in the third moveslot to deal with Croakgunk and Stunky; common switch-ins to Baltoy. However, one must note that Stunky can trap and revenge kill Baltoy with Pursuit if it survives Earth Power. Since Baltoy is otherwise bait for Gligar to set up on it, Ice Beam is the best option for the fourth slot so that it can hit Gligar hard. Toxic is also a good move for Baltoy to use, as it can severely cripple common spinblockers such as Misdreavus, as well as burdening Gligar.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>The given EV spread maximizes Baltoy's HP and weaker defense, making it a good mixed wall, especially when combined with the Bold nature which further raises Baltoy's Defense stat. The remaining EVs are invested in Baltoy's Special Attack and Special Defense, granting one more point to each of those stats. Eviolite is the best choice for an item, as it allows Baltoy to tank hits with ease, thus making it easier to support its team very well. Oran Berry could be considered over Eviolite, since Baltoy has no form of recovery outside of Rest. Shadow Ball can be used over Ice Beam if you don't mind Gligar setting up on Baltoy. Shadow Ball also hits spinblockers such as Misdreavus super effectively, however, Shadow Ball can only do a maximum of 45% damage to Misdreavus, so it really isn't worth the moveslot if you can't even 2HKO Misdreavus. A Relaxed nature can also be utilized on this set if you opt to use physical attacks.</p>
<p>Ghost-types, such as Frillish, are good teammates for Baltoy. They keep Stealth Rock in play thanks to being able to block Rapid Spin, while resisting the Bug-type attacks that Baltoy is weak to. Mantyke is also a viable teammate as it resists Water-type attacks, while Baltoy is immune to the Electric-type attacks and can spin away Stealth Rock both of which devastate Mantyke. Snover deals with the Water- and Grass-types that trouble Baltoy, and also appreciates the removal of Stealth Rock. Pokemon who can deal with opposing spinblockers, such as Houndour and Stunky, also make good teammates for Baltoy.</p>
[SET]
name: Dual Screens
move 1: Reflect
move 2: Light Screen
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Toxic / Ice Beam / Explosion
item: Eviolite / Light Clay
ability: Levitate
nature: Bold / Impish
evs: 196 HP / 196 Def / 112 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The purpose of this set is to set up dual screens, which allows frail, offensive teammates to take attacks as they set up. Stealth Rock is used in the third slot, as it breaks the opponent's Focus Sash and Sturdy while further enhances Baltoy's utility. Toxic is the best option for the last slot, allowing Baltoy to cripple opposing walls and ensuring that it doesn't become a sitting duck after it has set up. Ice Beam and Explosion are also viable, as they prevent Baltoy from being shut down by Taunt. While Ice Beam smacks Gligar hard, Explosion lets Baltoy go out with a bang, allowing a sweeper to switch in safely.</p>
[ADDITIONAL COMMENTS]
<p>Eviolite allows Baltoy to set up dual screens with ease, and it is the primary option for Baltoy's item. However, Light Clay could also be used to make the dual screens last longer. An Oran Berry could be considered over Eviolite or Light Clay since Baltoy has no recovery moves outside of Rest. Psychic can also be utilized over Earth Power for another STAB move, but it leaves Baltoy completely vulnerable to Stunky and other Dark-type Pokemon who will trap and revenge kill Baltoy with Pursuit.</p>
<p>It is very beneficial to have setup sweepers on your team to make full use of the dual screens that Baltoy sets up. Thus, Pokemon such as Dragon Dance Scraggy, Bulk Up Timburr, Nasty Plot Misdreavus, and Swords Dance Gligar pair up well with Baltoy. Some other good teammates for Baltoy are spinblockers such as Frillish, since it is running Stealth Rock and if the hazards that are set up by Baltoy are removed, then a lot of hard work will go to waste.</p>
[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>There are a few other options that Baltoy can make use of. One of those options is to use Rain Dance on the dual screens set, making Baltoy a great option for teams dependent on rain. Baltoy can also utilize Trick Room support decently with its relatively low Speed and respectable offenses. With Baltoy's decent base 55 Speed, it could run a Choice Scarf set. Baltoy hits a pretty fast 22 Speed with a Choice Scarf. However, Baltoy lacks the strong offenses that are needed to score significant KOs. A specially defensive EV spread can be utilized on the dual screen set to make use of Baltoy's large Special Defense. STAB Earth Power can also be used on the dual screen set to deal with Stunky and Croagunk, but serves little use otherwise.</p>
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
<p>Stunky is a good check to Baltoy, as it can switch in on any of its support moves and revenge kill it with Pursuit. However, it needs to be wary of Earth Power, which will do massive damage, or possibly even OHKO it. Fast Water-types such as Chinchou and Carvanha can outspeed and OHKO Baltoy with their STAB attacks. Snover also makes a fine check, as it can OHKO Baltoy with either Giga Drain or Blizzard. Mantyke is immune to Earth Power, doesn't even get 3HKOed by Ice Beam, and can OHKO Baltoy with Hydro Pump, making it perhaps the best check to Baltoy.</p>