QC: Megazard, Anty, TONE114
GP: fleurdyleurse, Snobalt
[OVERVIEW]
Dodrio is one of PU's best wallbreakers thanks to its high Attack and powerful STAB moves that make it extremely hard to switch into. Although Dodrio is outsped by many offensive Pokemon such as Simipour, Floatzel, and Zebstrika, it is still able to outspeed common Pokemon such as Exeggutor and Grumpig. However, Dodrio's Stealth Rock weakness combined with Brave Bird recoil wears it down very quickly. Dodrio also faces competition with Ursaring and Stoutland as a wallbreaker but has the advantage of two powerful STAB moves, access to Knock Off, and a priority move in Quick Attack.
[SET]
name: Wallbreaker
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Return
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Pursuit / Quick Attack
item: Choice Band / Life Orb
ability: Early Bird
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Brave Bird is Dodrio's primary STAB move because of its incredible power. However, when the extra power is not needed or the recoil is not desired, Return is a good STAB option. Knock Off cripples Pokemon that depend on their items as well as Rock- and Steel-types that may try to switch in to Dodrio's STAB moves, such as Misdreavus and Probopass, respectively. Quick Attack is a priority STAB move that allows Dodrio to finish off weakened Pokemon that are faster than it such as Simisear, Raichu, and Zebstrika. Alternatively, Pursuit can be used instead to trap and KO weakened Pokemon or to heavily damage Pokemon that usually switch out of Dodrio such as Exeggutor.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Attack EVs are used to maximize Dodrio's Speed and damage output. A Jolly nature lets it outspeed Pokemon such as Basculin and Leafeon and Speed tie with Pokemon such as Ninetales. Early Bird makes dealing with Jumpluff and other Sleep Powder users such as Roselia a little easier. Choice Band gives Dodrio more power to wallbreak, while Life Orb lets Dodrio switch moves but wears it down even more quickly than usual and provides a smaller power boost.
Usage Tips
========
Dodrio works best as an early- and mid-game wallbreaker. To avoid getting KOed, Dodrio should only be switched in with a slow U-turn or Volt Switch or after a teammate has been KOed. Knock Off should only be used to cripple defensive switch-ins that Dodrio has a hard time KOing, such as Probopass and Klang. Otherwise, Brave Bird and Return should be used most frequently.
Team Options
========
Checks and counters to Steel-types, such as Machoke and Stunfisk, allow Dodrio to freely use its STAB moves to wallbreak. Slow Volt Switch and U-turn users such as Probopass and Vibrava can help Dodrio switch in safely, as can defoggers such as Swanna and Pelipper. Probopass and Trapinch can trap and KO Steel-types for Dodrio; Probopass also provides a slow Volt Switch. Sweepers and cleaners such as Zebstrika and Fraxure appreciate Dodrio weakening the opponent's team, allowing them to do their jobs more easily. Water- and Grass-types such as Simipour and Simisage can get rid of Rock-types, while Dodrio can get rid of Grass-types for them in return. Similarly, Fighting-types such as Monferno deal with Steel-, Ice-, and Rock-types, while Ground-types can deal with Steel-, Rock- and Electric-types.
[SET]
name: Choice Scarf
move 1: Brave Bird
move 2: Return
move 3: Knock Off
move 4: Pursuit
item: Choice Scarf
ability: Early Bird
nature: Jolly
evs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Return is a powerful STAB move that does not inflict recoil damage. Brave Bird is Dodrio's strongest STAB move on this set, but it comes with the price of recoil damage. Knock Off cripples Pokemon that are dependent on their items such as Misdreavus and Clefairy while also crippling Rock- and Steel-type switch-ins. Pursuit can be used to KO a weakened foe that tries to switch out of Dodrio or to weaken Pokemon that Dodrio forces out, such as Roselia. Quick Attack can be used to KO faster, weakened Choice Scarf or priority users.
Set Details
========
Maximum Speed and Attack EVs with a Jolly nature give Dodrio a good amount of power and let it outspeed the whole unboosted tier as well as common Choice Scarf users such as Mr. Mime, Rotom-F, and Sawsbuck. An Adamant nature is an option for a decent boost in power in exchange for being outspeed by those Choice Scarf users. Early Bird makes dealing with Sleep Powder users easier.
Usage Tips
========
Dodrio will mostly be used as a revenge killer throughout the game, so it should only be switched in after a teammate has been KOed. Late-game, Dodrio can clean up weakened teams. Because of its low bulk, weakness to Stealth Rock, and heavy recoil damage from Brave Bird, Dodrio should not switch in unless it can OHKO the foe. Keeping Dodrio healthy is crucial throughout the game to make sure that it can safely revenge kill and clean late-game when the foe is weakened. Brave Bird or Return should always be used to revenge kill, but Knock Off or Pursuit can be used on predicted switches.
Team Options
========
Fighting- and Ground-types, such as Machoke and Stunfisk, have good synergy with Dodrio, with the former dealing with Rock-, Steel-, and Ice-types and the latter dealing with Rock-, Steel-, and Electric-types. Probopass and Trapinch can trap Steel-types for Dodrio so that it doesn't have to worry about them switching in when revenge killing. Water-types, such as Simipour and Floatzel, and Grass-types, such as Jumpluff and Tangela, can also deal with Rock-types for Dodrio; in return, Dodrio can take care of the Grass-types that resist their STAB moves. Also, entry hazard control is very important to ensure that Dodrio can revenge kill foes without having to take residual damage.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
A variation of the Choice Scarf set with Drill Peck, Double-Edge, and Baton Pass allows Dodrio to keep up momentum, but Dodrio can't have Brave Bird and Baton Pass on the same set, and the power loss from using Drill Peck instead of Return is very noticeable. Natural Gift with Apicot or Salac Berry gives Dodrio a 100 Power Ground- or Fighting-type move, respectively, to deal with Probopass, its most common switch-in; Natural Gift with Liechi Berry is also usable, as it gives Dodrio a powerful Grass-type move to hit Relicanth and Golem. Toxic can deal with bulkier Pokemon such as Vullaby and Pelipper but is horrible to be Choice-locked into.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Steel-types**: Steel-types resist both of Dodrio's STAB moves and don't take much damage from Knock Off. Also, Klang and Pawniard can use Dodrio as setup fodder while Probopass can freely set up Stealth Rock on it.
**Rock-types**: Rock-types resist both of Dodrio's STAB moves and can hit back with their super effective STAB moves. Supportive Rock-types such as Golem and Probopass can set up Stealth Rock on Dodrio. Defensive Relicanth can also set up Stealth Rock, while offensive Relicanth can use Dodrio as setup fodder for Rock Polish.
**Faster Attackers**: Faster Pokemon such as Floatzel, Electrode, and Simisear can easily outspeed and KO Choice Band or Life Orb Dodrio with their STAB moves. Priority users and faster Choice Scarf users, such as Pawniard and Rotom-F, can KO Choice Scarf Dodrio.
**Residual Damage**: The recoil from Brave Bird as well as its weakness to Stealth Rock can quickly wear Dodrio down, especially if it is burned or poisoned.
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