[OVERVIEW]
Buzzwole's great physical bulk in conjunction with its rare defensive typing allows it to function as a blanket check on stall teams to many of the metagame's most dangerous physical attackers such as Kartana, Zygarde, and Tapu Bulu. Having a Bulk Up-boosted Buzzwole can be a win condition for stall teams, potentially sweeping bulky offensive teams in the late-game after they've been whittled down by Buzzwole's team. Buzzwole's movepool gives it access to a wide variety of coverage options such as Ice Punch for Zygarde, Gliscor, and Landorus-T, allowing it to effectively utilize its high Attack stat. On the other hand, Buzzwole's mediocre special bulk leaves it susceptible to being KOed by strong special attacks such as Tapu Koko's Thunderbolt and Greninja's Hydro Pump after prior damage. Buzzwole's defensive typing also leaves it easily preyed upon by common attacking types in Flying, Fairy, and Psychic, and Buzzwole is easy to KO due to its poor Speed tier, so Pokemon like Mega Pinsir, Tapu Lele, and Clefable all force Buzzwole out with ease.
[SET]
name: Bulk Up
move 1: Drain Punch
move 2: Ice Punch
move 3: Bulk Up
move 4: Roost
item: Leftovers
ability: Beast Boost
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 144 Def / 112 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
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Drain Punch is a reliable STAB move that allows Buzzwole to amass recovery while taking on troublesome threats such as Kartana, Tyranitar, and Mega Gyarados. Ice Punch is a useful coverage move that allows Buzzwole to consistently check Zygarde, Gliscor, Tapu Bulu, and non-Flyinium Z Landorus-T. Bulk Up allows Buzzwole to set up alongside setup sweepers such as Kartana and Zygarde in order to more reliably check them, and it makes Buzzwole an endgame sweeper capable of taking down weakened teams. Roost allows Buzzwole to stay healthy throughout the match so that it can reliably check the many physical attackers that pressure it.
Set Details
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112 Speed EVs allow Buzzwole to outspeed Tyranitar, and the remaining EVs are placed into HP and Defense in order to allow Buzzwole to check physical attackers such as Kartana, Tapu Bulu, and Zygarde. Beast Boost is Buzzwole's only ability and boosts Buzzwole's Defense every time it KOes an opposing Pokemon. Leftovers provides passive recovery in conjunction with Drain Punch, preserving potentially valuable Roost PP for the late-game.
Usage Tips
========
Buzzwole should be switched primarily into physical attackers that it checks such as Kartana, Tapu Bulu, and Zygarde. Avoid letting Buzzwole absorb status such as burn or poison, as status conditions limit its ability to effectively beat the aforementioned threats. Keep entry hazards off your side of the field so that Buzzwole can reliably beat Pokemon such as Corkscrew Crash Kartana. Additionally, analyze the opposing team and scout for lures such as Supersonic Skystrike Landorus-T if Buzzwole is meant to check multiple Pokemon so it can avoid being KOed in the early-game. When utilizing Buzzwole as part of the team's win condition, wait for the opposing team to be worn down before setting up and attempting to win the battle.
Team Options
========
Buzzwole tends to fit better onto bulkier teams, usually stall or semi-stall, that need a consistent answer to Zygarde and Kartana. Buzzwole appreciates entry hazard control from teammates such as Mega Sableye and Zapdos to keep Spikes off the field, allowing Buzzwole to effectively check Pokemon such as Steelium Z Kartana. In a similar vein, Buzzwole appreciates teammates that provide cleric support such as Chansey and Unaware Clefable, as they can remove troublesome status ailments, primarily burn and poison. Specially defensive Steel-type Pokemon such as Magearna and Celesteela have amazing defensive synergy with Buzzwole, checking potent special attackers such as Tapu Lele and Mega Alakazam that threaten it out with super effective STAB attacks.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Buzzwole can also run offensive sets that attempt to utilize its impressive offensive coverage, but these sets are oftentimes hard to justify over other breakers like Mega Heracross and Hoopa-U that can break through bulkier teams with much more ease.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-type Pokemon in general, particularly Clefable, are problematic for Buzzwole because they can easily take any move that it can throw at them and threaten it out with their STAB attacks.
**Psychic-types**: Similarly to Fairy-types, Psychic-types are very problematic for Buzzwole. Offensive Psychic-types can threaten to OHKO Buzzwole with STAB Psychic, though they struggle to switch into Buzzwole, while Reuniclus can use Buzzwole as setup fodder and wall it infinitely, especially if it has Acid Armor.
**Flying-types**: Flying-types such as Tornadus-T and Mega Pinsir can switch into Buzzwole and threaten to OHKO it with their STAB attacks, but they have to be wary of switching into Ice Punch. Celesteela can comfortably take even a boosted Drain Punch and threaten out Buzzwole with Flamethrower.
**Residual Damage**: Buzzwole is very easy to wear down with residual damage between entry hazards and status conditions, so focusing on pressuring it and wearing it down throughout the game with residual damage is an effective way of dealing with it.
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