QC: TONE114 / Magnemite / Raiza.
GP: Rhythms / MysticNova
[OVERVIEW]
Bastiodon is heavily outclassed by Probopass as a bulky Stealth Rock setter and as a utility Pokemon due to its lack of momentum without Volt Switch and passive nature. Bastiodon has a slight niche with access to Roar, but that is its only upper hand, and it tends to be outclassed in every other way. Bastiodon has very good defensive stats, but its typing leaves it extremely vulnerable to Ground- and Fighting-type moves, which are pretty common in the PU metagame. Bastiodon has a varied movepool, but it doesn't have the offensive stats or Speed necessary to use it well. With its Rock / Steel typing, it is one of the only walls in the tier not affected by poison damage, but it has no recovery, barring Leftovers, and can be easily worn down.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roar
move 4: Magic Coat
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock can offer chip damage to foes on the switch, break Focus Sashes, and severely injure some Pokemon upon switching in, such as Ninjask and Articuno. Toxic is Bastiodon's only way to inflict damage, and it can be very effective in either breaking down walls or weakening a foe to the point where a teammate can revenge kill it. Roar is very useful for phazing Pokemon that are attempting to set up as well as for switching the active foe out, forcing the opponent to send in a more favorable match up. Magic Coat allows Bastiodon to bounce back status moves, such as Will-O-Wisp and Taunt.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Defense and HP with a Careful nature allows Bastiodon to take on dangerous threats such as Ninetales, Zebstrika, Rotom-F, Tangela, Roselia, and other special attackers. A physically defensive set with a Bold nature could be used, but it has more special weaknesses, while investment in Defense doesn't help it as much. Leftovers gives Bastiodon a bit of health back each turn, which is important, as it doesn't receive a recovery move. Sturdy allows Bastiodon to survive a singular hit from full health, which can be key in situations when it is trying to get Stealth Rock up or when it needs to Roar out a Pokemon that is trying to sweep.
Usage Tips
========
Just because Bastiodon has Stealth Rock doesn't mean it will always be the Pokemon you will lead with. Don't solely rely on Bastiodon to take on a lot of threats to your team, because it can get weakened quickly. Because it lacks a recovery move, you shouldn't consistently switch it into attacks. In addition, Bastiodon needs to fear coverage moves on foes such as Mr. Mime and Misdreavus. If you can, attempt to preserve Sturdy for late-game as a last resort against setup sweepers. Use Magic Coat only when you are certain the foe is going to use a status move. Attempt to set up Stealth Rock early-game to allow it to have the largest impact on the opposing team as possible, and Toxic can be spammed early-game to weaken foes as well.
Team Options
========
Bastiodon works best on balanced or stall teams in which its teammates can counteract foes that beat it; these teams also appreciate Bastiodon's entry hazard support. Bastiodon works well with Pokemon that can counteract Fighting- and Ground-type moves, such as Togetic, Pelipper, and Jumpluff. Bastiodon also appreciates Pokemon that can deal with Steel-types, such as Poliwrath, Ninetales, Rapidash, and Machoke. Ghost-type Pokemon, such as Dusknoir, Gourgeist-XL, and Misdreavus, can block incoming Rapid Spins and keep Bastiodon's Stealth Rock up; their immunity to Fighting-type moves is also beneficial. Bulky Grass-types, such as Roselia, Tangela, and Gourgeist-XL, can take both Water- and Ground-type moves. Wish passers, such as Lickilicky and Hypno, can allow Bastiodon to recover HP and stay on the field longer. Spike setters, such as Roselia and Quilladin, can set up Spikes or Toxic Spikes, and they allow Bastiodon to get more damage on a foe when using Roar.
Pawniard and Purugly, while both sharing Bastiodon's Fighting-type weakness, are very good partners, as they can discourage the use of Defog from the foe and maintain Bastiodon's entry hazard with Defiant. In addition, Pokemon who use Stealth Rock to their advantage, such as Mr. Mime, Sawsbuck, Arbok, Kingler, Articuno, and Ursaring, appreciate Bastiodon on their team to deal with the opponent's team better.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bastiodon can utilize Protect to scout a foe for super effective moves as well as to stall out a foe if they have a status condition. It can also use Heavy Slam as a way to deal damage against Pokemon such as Togetic and Clefairy and to prevent itself from being completely useless if taunted. Bastiodon can also run an Air Balloon to dodge Ground-type moves before taking a hit, but it loses out on much needed recovery, and the item itself is gimmicky. Taunt can also be used by Bastiodon, but it is too slow to be able to pull it off as well as Pokemon such as Misdreavus or lead Barbaracle. Bastiodon can use Metal Burst in combination with Sturdy, but it will lose one of its much needed moves. Metal Burst is also a pretty bad gimmick with a low success rate.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Poliwrath and Machoke can deal huge amounts of damage to Bastiodon and almost always force it to switch out. Even worse, Machoke will get a Guts boost from Toxic, and defensive Poliwrath can heal it off with Rest.
**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Torterra, Golem, Piloswine, and Stunfisk can all hit Bastiodon with a 4x super effective Ground-type move while Bastiodon can do little in return.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Pawniard, Klang, and Probopass can completely wall Bastiodon. Pawniard and Klang can deal some hefty damage to it with Knock Off and Gear Grind, respectively, and Probopass can trap it with Magnet Pull and KO with Earth Power.
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Poliwrath, Floatzel, Simipour, and Barbaracle can deal massive amounts of damage to Bastiodon. Floatzel and Simipour can Taunt and cripple it as well, and Barbaracle can set up on it.
**Taunt**: Pokemon such as Misdreavus, Dodrio, and Grumpig can Taunt and force Bastiodon to switch out or use Struggle, but they need to avoid a Magic Coat, as it can cripple them instead. Other Pokemon with Taunt, such as Simipour and Floatzel, can also deal massive damage with their Water-type moves.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Pokemon such as Pelipper, Armaldo, Togetic, Swanna, and Torkoal can remove Bastiodon's entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin. Although Bastiodon has the ability to switch them out and wear them down with Roar, most have reliable recovery.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon such as Mr. Mime, Kadabra, Ursaring, Misdreavus, Stoutland, Regice, and Raichu can deal massive amounts of damage to Bastiodon with their coverage moves, from Raichu's, Mr. Mime's, and Regice's Focus Blast to Stoutland's Superpower.
GP: Rhythms / MysticNova
[OVERVIEW]
Bastiodon is heavily outclassed by Probopass as a bulky Stealth Rock setter and as a utility Pokemon due to its lack of momentum without Volt Switch and passive nature. Bastiodon has a slight niche with access to Roar, but that is its only upper hand, and it tends to be outclassed in every other way. Bastiodon has very good defensive stats, but its typing leaves it extremely vulnerable to Ground- and Fighting-type moves, which are pretty common in the PU metagame. Bastiodon has a varied movepool, but it doesn't have the offensive stats or Speed necessary to use it well. With its Rock / Steel typing, it is one of the only walls in the tier not affected by poison damage, but it has no recovery, barring Leftovers, and can be easily worn down.
[SET]
name: Utility
move 1: Stealth Rock
move 2: Toxic
move 3: Roar
move 4: Magic Coat
item: Leftovers
ability: Sturdy
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Stealth Rock can offer chip damage to foes on the switch, break Focus Sashes, and severely injure some Pokemon upon switching in, such as Ninjask and Articuno. Toxic is Bastiodon's only way to inflict damage, and it can be very effective in either breaking down walls or weakening a foe to the point where a teammate can revenge kill it. Roar is very useful for phazing Pokemon that are attempting to set up as well as for switching the active foe out, forcing the opponent to send in a more favorable match up. Magic Coat allows Bastiodon to bounce back status moves, such as Will-O-Wisp and Taunt.
Set Details
========
Maximum investment in Special Defense and HP with a Careful nature allows Bastiodon to take on dangerous threats such as Ninetales, Zebstrika, Rotom-F, Tangela, Roselia, and other special attackers. A physically defensive set with a Bold nature could be used, but it has more special weaknesses, while investment in Defense doesn't help it as much. Leftovers gives Bastiodon a bit of health back each turn, which is important, as it doesn't receive a recovery move. Sturdy allows Bastiodon to survive a singular hit from full health, which can be key in situations when it is trying to get Stealth Rock up or when it needs to Roar out a Pokemon that is trying to sweep.
Usage Tips
========
Just because Bastiodon has Stealth Rock doesn't mean it will always be the Pokemon you will lead with. Don't solely rely on Bastiodon to take on a lot of threats to your team, because it can get weakened quickly. Because it lacks a recovery move, you shouldn't consistently switch it into attacks. In addition, Bastiodon needs to fear coverage moves on foes such as Mr. Mime and Misdreavus. If you can, attempt to preserve Sturdy for late-game as a last resort against setup sweepers. Use Magic Coat only when you are certain the foe is going to use a status move. Attempt to set up Stealth Rock early-game to allow it to have the largest impact on the opposing team as possible, and Toxic can be spammed early-game to weaken foes as well.
Team Options
========
Bastiodon works best on balanced or stall teams in which its teammates can counteract foes that beat it; these teams also appreciate Bastiodon's entry hazard support. Bastiodon works well with Pokemon that can counteract Fighting- and Ground-type moves, such as Togetic, Pelipper, and Jumpluff. Bastiodon also appreciates Pokemon that can deal with Steel-types, such as Poliwrath, Ninetales, Rapidash, and Machoke. Ghost-type Pokemon, such as Dusknoir, Gourgeist-XL, and Misdreavus, can block incoming Rapid Spins and keep Bastiodon's Stealth Rock up; their immunity to Fighting-type moves is also beneficial. Bulky Grass-types, such as Roselia, Tangela, and Gourgeist-XL, can take both Water- and Ground-type moves. Wish passers, such as Lickilicky and Hypno, can allow Bastiodon to recover HP and stay on the field longer. Spike setters, such as Roselia and Quilladin, can set up Spikes or Toxic Spikes, and they allow Bastiodon to get more damage on a foe when using Roar.
Pawniard and Purugly, while both sharing Bastiodon's Fighting-type weakness, are very good partners, as they can discourage the use of Defog from the foe and maintain Bastiodon's entry hazard with Defiant. In addition, Pokemon who use Stealth Rock to their advantage, such as Mr. Mime, Sawsbuck, Arbok, Kingler, Articuno, and Ursaring, appreciate Bastiodon on their team to deal with the opponent's team better.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Bastiodon can utilize Protect to scout a foe for super effective moves as well as to stall out a foe if they have a status condition. It can also use Heavy Slam as a way to deal damage against Pokemon such as Togetic and Clefairy and to prevent itself from being completely useless if taunted. Bastiodon can also run an Air Balloon to dodge Ground-type moves before taking a hit, but it loses out on much needed recovery, and the item itself is gimmicky. Taunt can also be used by Bastiodon, but it is too slow to be able to pull it off as well as Pokemon such as Misdreavus or lead Barbaracle. Bastiodon can use Metal Burst in combination with Sturdy, but it will lose one of its much needed moves. Metal Burst is also a pretty bad gimmick with a low success rate.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fighting-types**: Poliwrath and Machoke can deal huge amounts of damage to Bastiodon and almost always force it to switch out. Even worse, Machoke will get a Guts boost from Toxic, and defensive Poliwrath can heal it off with Rest.
**Ground-types**: Pokemon such as Torterra, Golem, Piloswine, and Stunfisk can all hit Bastiodon with a 4x super effective Ground-type move while Bastiodon can do little in return.
**Steel-types**: Pokemon such as Pawniard, Klang, and Probopass can completely wall Bastiodon. Pawniard and Klang can deal some hefty damage to it with Knock Off and Gear Grind, respectively, and Probopass can trap it with Magnet Pull and KO with Earth Power.
**Water-types**: Pokemon such as Poliwrath, Floatzel, Simipour, and Barbaracle can deal massive amounts of damage to Bastiodon. Floatzel and Simipour can Taunt and cripple it as well, and Barbaracle can set up on it.
**Taunt**: Pokemon such as Misdreavus, Dodrio, and Grumpig can Taunt and force Bastiodon to switch out or use Struggle, but they need to avoid a Magic Coat, as it can cripple them instead. Other Pokemon with Taunt, such as Simipour and Floatzel, can also deal massive damage with their Water-type moves.
**Entry Hazard Removal**: Pokemon such as Pelipper, Armaldo, Togetic, Swanna, and Torkoal can remove Bastiodon's entry hazards with Defog or Rapid Spin. Although Bastiodon has the ability to switch them out and wear them down with Roar, most have reliable recovery.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Pokemon such as Mr. Mime, Kadabra, Ursaring, Misdreavus, Stoutland, Regice, and Raichu can deal massive amounts of damage to Bastiodon with their coverage moves, from Raichu's, Mr. Mime's, and Regice's Focus Blast to Stoutland's Superpower.
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