DP Bronzong

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A few people I've talked to, including myself, found the current Bronzong Analysis to be somewhat lacking... So I decided to rewrite it to improve the quality. Note that the Trick Room set and Counters section were left as is because they seemed fine the way they are. The Rain Dance set comes courtesy of Aldaron, since it was very nicely done, there was no need to make another ;o The Screener set also comes courtesy of RaikouLover.

442.png

Bronzong

[SET]
Name: Standard Wall
Move 1: Gyro Ball
Move 2: Stealth Rock
Move 3: Hypnosis
Move 4: Earthquake
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 86 Atk / 80 Def / 92 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Bronzong is an excellent Pokemon to set up Stealth Rock as well as wall many offensive Pokemon on both the physical and special side of the spectrum. With its above par defenses and many resistances, Bronzong can set up rocks and / or sleep something with relative ease. Being one of the slowest Pokemon in the metagame, Bronzong can use its STAB Gyro Ball to OHKO fast sweepers like Weavile and Scarf Gengar, and 2HKO other sweepers, including Tyranitar. Earthquake allows Bronzong to hit Pokemon that resist Gyro Ball, mainly Infernape and Heatran, (the latter of which is not OHKO'd) who would otherwise destroy Bronzong with their STAB Fire attacks.</p>

<p>Bronzong makes an outstanding setter up of Stealth Rock, however, if you prefer to use something else, you can forgoe Stealth Rock for the powerful finishing move, Explosion. Said finishing move can do massive damage to standard Blissey and severly cripple or KO other common Pokemon. Alternatively, Reflect or Light Screen can be used if you feel your team could use the support. Lum Berry is a viable option if you're using Bronzong as a lead, as it can counter the many "sleep leads." Charge Beam is a fine choice for the last slot too, as it hits Gyarados and Yanmega, among other Pokemon. Hidden Power Ice can also be used in the last spot to hit Salamence and Dragonite, though some Special Attack investment is needed to 2HKO them.</p>

<p>The EVs listed may look a bit strange, however, they fully maximize Bronzong's potential. The HP is maximized because not only does it help Bronzong's below average base HP get a boost, but it allows Bronzong to take four Seismic Tosses (with Leftovers recovery). The Attack EVs allow Bronzong to OHKO Scarfed Gengar and Weavile, and 2HKO Tyranitar, with Gyro Ball. They also allow the bell to OHKO Infernape and Heatran with Earthquake. The Special Defense and Defense EVs maximize Bronzong's defenses, allowing it to not be OHKO'd by MixApe's Flamethrower or +Speed Nature Heatran's Fire Blast. It also survives a SpecsMence's Fire Blast.</p>

[SET]
name: Screener
move 1: Light Screen
move 2: Reflect
move 3: Gyro Ball / Earthquake
move 4: Explosion
item: Light Clay
ability: Levitate
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 8 Def / 96 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

<p> Bronzong is arguably one of the best transition pokemon in the game, able to come in on his multitude of resists and force many pokemon to switch out. This set is designed specifically to benefit the team by using every switch in to set up an 8 turn screen for the team. As far as attacks go, Gyro Ball will allow Bronzong to easily defeat fast opponents such as Gengar, Yanmega, and Deoxys... all of whom will struggle to do damage with the appropriate screen in place. Earthquake is always a favorable option on Bronzong for nailing Heatran, Infernape, and Magnezone switch-ins. Explosion rounds out the set by allowing a teammate a free switch in after a screen is in place. </p>

[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Gyro Ball
move 2: Trick Room
move 3: Hypnosis
move 4: Explosion
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 8 Def / 96 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The standard Bronzong is capable of setting up a variety of supporting moves and doing decent damage on many Pokemon with its attacking moves and good Attack stat. Usually, a supporting Bronzong is used as a leading Pokémon, as its excellent set of resistances and immunities mean it can easily set up a layer of Stealth Rock or sleep an opponent with Hypnosis before anything else. Gyro Ball is the reason this Bronzong is recommended to be as slow as possible; at a meager 63 Speed, Gyro Ball strikes at near-maximum power on common opposing leads such as Weavile or Gengar. Not too much is capable of withstanding a couple of STAB boosted attacks with over 120 base power, even if Bronzong's Attack stat may leave a bit to be desired. Unless you fear Magnezone to a great extent Explosion will prove the most useful attacking choice in the final slot. That way, you'll be able to hopefully cause a KO on the opponent then proceed to sweep under Trick Room.</p>

[SET]
name: Rest Talk 'Zong
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Gyro Ball
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 62 Atk / 104 Def / 92 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Bronzong makes a fantastic wall with its ample resistances and many support moves, it does however lack a recovery move. This set remedies that problem. Rest and Sleep Talk allow Bronzong to become the status absorber of the team while retaining its walling abilities. Rest and Sleep Talk are, obviously, the core moves of this set, allowing Bronzong to recover any damage and detrimental status it may have acquired. With its abysmal Speed, Gyro Ball can often function at maximum base power against sweepers like ScarfGar and Deoxys-S. Earthquake gives Bronzong good type coverage with its STAB move, letting it hit Pokemon that resist Gyro Ball, namely Heatran, who is OHKO'd by Earthquake. It should be noted that this set isn't perfect. Bronzong cannot inflict much damage to many of the common sleep inducers. These include Breloom, Yanmega, Milotic, Tangrowth, and other Bronzong.</p>

<p>The EVs are almost identical to the first moveset, however, with the lack of Hidden Power Ice Special Attack EVs are no longer necessary. However, if you feel like this Bronzong should be your counter to the OU Dragons, use Hidden Power Ice over Earthquake. However, you will need 24 EVs (which you can take from Defense) and add them to Special Attack to guarantee a 2HKO on Garchomp, Salamence, and Dragonite (though Dragonite is only 2HKO'd with Stealth Rock damage). Sassy is the preferred nature for this moveset because while Relaxed is also beneficial to Bronzong by lowering the amount of damage Zong takes from physical attacks, Sassy is much more helpful. For example, while Relaxed lowers the amount of damage taken from Breloom's Focus Punch, it is still a 2HKO, just as it is when using Sassy nature. Also, when using Sassy, Bronzong is able to survive SpecsMence's Fire Blast, where Relaxed is unable to do so.</p>

[SET]
name: Torrential Zong
move 1: Rain Dance
move 2: Explosion
move 3: Stealth Rock
move 4: Hypnosis
ability: Levitate
nature: Impish
item: Damp Rock
evs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 128 Def

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Very rarely is a Pokemon perfectly suited to provide almost exactly what a particular style of team requires. Then again, not many Pokemon have the utility capacity that Bronzong possesses. The EVs are set to give Bronzong more physical bulkiness, as Rain Dance will allow it to survive most Fire Blasts and Flamethrowers, the common special attacks thrown at it. 128 Attack is given to give a boost to Explosion, allowing it to always OHKO 252 HP / 0 Def Snorlax, a common deterrent to Rain Dance teams.</p>

<p>Rain Dance teams require a few factors to be ultimately successful: long lengths of Rain Dance, Stealth Rock, and the removal of some arbitrary Pokemon so that proper switches can be more effectively handled. Bronzong sets up Rain Dance for 8 turns with Damp Rock, allows efficient switching in by Exploding (possibly on a counter), removes a threat by using Hypnosis, and sets up Stealth Rock, so Kingdra can get that guaranteed OHKO on Metagross and Kabutops can get that guaranteed OHKO on other Bronzong.</p>

<p>The reason Gyro Ball and Hidden Power Ice are ignored here is that this Bronzong isn't supposed to be an attacker or last a long time, so these moves are unnecessary. The sole purpose of this Bronzong is to come in sometime in the early to middle parts of battle (note it is not an effective lead), set up Stealth Rock, use Rain Dance, possibly Hypnotize the opponent and then Explode away, leaving 6 turns of Rain for sweepers such as Kingdra, Kabutops, Omastar, or Relicanth.</p>

[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>A Calm Mind set is somewhat viable. However, you'll usually be Blocking your opponents counter to Bronzong, including Heatran, Infernape, and SpecsMence, none of whom you'll be able to Calm Mind against. However, Bronzong does have a good special move pool, including Charge Beam, Psychic and Grass Knot. The latter of which can be used for massive damage against Rhyperior, Hippowdon, and Swampert. However, due to the Special Defense boost in Sandstorm, Gyro Ball is a better option against Tyranitar. With its many resistances and above-par defenses, Bronzong can effectively use Toxic to stall down opponents, though a lack of recovery hurts. Shed Shell is another possible item choice so you can escape the binding effects of Magnet Pull.</p>

<p>Heatproof is a decent ability to fool an opponent, though you wouldn't be able to switch into Earthquake, and any Fire-type attack will tip off an opponent that you are using Heatproof. Also, switching into Spikes will give away your ability because you would not take damage while using Levitate. Leftovers is usually the preferred item, however, Lum Berry is viable so Bronzong can take a Hypnosis from fast sleep inducers, recover from sleep, and hit back with its own Hypnosis. Also, Macho Brace is a viable choice because it will drastically increase the power of Gyro Ball, hitting even Blissey for a good amount of damage.</p>

[EVS]
<p>Picking out EVs for Bronzong is tricky because it has many different walling and support options. However, for every set you need to maximize HP. While max Leftovers recovery is only eight EVs down from max, when using max HP and Leftovers, you can survive four Seismic Tosses, instead of three. This is crucial when you want Bronzong to set up on Blissey or another Seismic Toss user. After maximizing HP, you'll want to use just enough EVs in the other stats to prove most beneficial. Ususally this involves little attacking EVs while pumping the defenses.</p>

<p>You'll want Bronzong's Speed to be as low as possible to increase the power of Gyro Ball, thus a -Speed nature along with a zero Speed IV.</p>

[OPINION]
<p>With its many common resistances, and only one weakness, Bronzong can make a fantastic Support Pokemon. Its resistances to Rock, Dragon, Ice, and Ground make it a good counter against Pokemon like Weavile, Tyranitar, and Garchomp, as it resists their STAB moves. Though Bronzong can take attacks like Salamence's Draco Meteor, it cannot take repeated powerful attacks due to lack of recovery. Because of this, it is recommended to have a Pokemon with Wish to help Bronzong recover HP.</p>

[COUNTERS]
<p>Thanks to Magnet Pull, Bronzong fears Magnezone if it doesn’t have Earthquake to stop it, and even that can be foiled by Magnet Rise.</p>

<p>Gyarados Intimidates and resists Gyro Ball, but can be Hypnotized or hit by Charge Beam. In fact, most bulky Waters can switch in on Bronzong and slowly wear it down with Surf. Suicune is especially dangerous because it can get a Calm Mind sweep going if Bronzong is foolish enough to stay in. If Bronzong has Rest, it can outstall some Water-types however. Infernape can also switch in on a Gyro Ball and survive, and can finish off a weakened Bronzong—however, if it switches in on Earthquake, its dead. Heatran is in a similar boat, except it takes practically nothing from Gyro Ball thanks to lower Speed, good defenses, and a 4x resistance to Steel. It needs to be able to OHKO Bronzong or it will just get slapped by an Earthquake, assuming Bronzong stays in. Moltres can come in on Bronzong pretty much regardless of what it uses, with the exception of Hypnosis and Explosion. Pressure will eat up two of Gyro Ball's precious 8 PP, and Moltres has STAB Flamethrower to hit back. Moltres also often carries Substitute to block any attempts at Hypnosis once it gets in. Charizard can use Bronzong as a way to set up a Belly Drum sweep, because it usually lacks anything to really damage Charizard with, aside from Explosion (and Charizard often packs Substitute).</p>

<p>Flamethrower Blissey wears it down, assuming Bronzong doesn't have Explosion. Calm Mind Blissey is much of the same, except that it can actually set up something. Celebi can use Leech Seed and easily PP stall, as even Explosion won't OHKO Celebi. Even if Celebi doesn't have Leech Seed, most sets will have more PP than Bronzong does, so they will win a PP war if it comes down to that. Celebi could also Calm Mind up and either overpower Bronzong or Baton Pass out of there. Skarmory can come in on anything Bronzong does and set up Spikes. It doesn't even have to worry about the Block set because Skarmory can use Whirlwind to remove any set up.</p>

---------------------




I left the Trick Room Set, as well as the Counters section, the same as the original analysis, because I felt like there wasn't anything more to say, and tweaking them might actually be detrimental.

This analysis seems a little more in-depth, and it makes better use of Bronzong's EVs and abilities. Some of the not-so-good sets were removed too... Thanks to the people who helped proofread before I posted this, and help with EVs :D
 
Bronzong and Jirachi are the most common Rain Dancer set-upers. Bronzong definitely needs another set, the Rain Dance one. Aldaron posted a Rain Dnance Bronzong here
 
Yea I was thinking of making a Rain Dance one, I'd be allowed to c/p Aldaron's in here right ?_? Just making sure.

Edit- Edited in Aldaron's set (hope it's alright that I did so :x) I'm wondering why Bronzong was bolded and Red all those times... I just removed the formatting.
 
Well, HP Ice hits Yanmega too :o But I listed Hp Elec in Other Options to take care of Gyara, do you really think I need it listed in the set too? I didn't want to give it Slashities :x
 
For the standard starter set, lum berry is an amazing option. I think it should be standard. Not my place to decide though. ^.^
 
Well I mentioned Lum Berry in the Set Comments for the standard set .In my opinion if Bronzong is supposed to be a wall it's going to need Leftovers for some kind of recovery, however I've used Lum as a Lead Bronzong and it's been quite helpful, so I put it into the set comments.
 
[SET]
Name: Standard Wall
Move 1: Gyro Ball
Move 2: Stealth Rock
Move 3: Hypnosis
Move 4: Earthquake / Hidden Power Ice
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 62 Atk / 80 Def / 24 SpA / 92 SpD
ivs: 2 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Bronzong is an excellent Pokemon to set up Stealth Rock as well as wall many offensive Pokemon on both the physical and special side of the spectrum. With its above par defenses and many resistances, Bronzong can set up rocks and / or sleep something with relative ease. Being one of the slowest Pokemon in the metagame, Bronzong can use its STAB Gyro Ball to OHKO fast sweepers like Weavile and Scarf Gengar, and 2HKO other sweepers, including Tyranitar. Earthquake allows Bronzong to hit Pokemon that resist Gyro Ball, mainly Infernape and Heatran, who would otherwise destroy Bronzong with their STAB Fire attacks. However, Hidden Power Ice is viable over Earthquake because it hits the common dragon Pokemon who can come in on Bronzong and set up (bar being put to sleep). Hidden Power 2HKO's Garchomp and Salamence, and 2HKO's Dragonite after Stealth Rock damage.</p>

<p>Bronzong makes an outstanding setter up of Stealth Rock, however, if you prefer to use something else, you can forgoe Stealth Rock for the powerful finishing move, Explosion. Said finishing move can do massive damage to standard Blissey and severly cripple or KO other common Pokemon. Alternatively, Reflect or Light Screen can be used if you feel your team could use the support. Lum Berry is a viable option if you're using Bronzong as a lead, as it can counter the many "sleep leads." Hidden Power Electric is a fine choice for the last slot, as it hits Gyarados and Yanmega, among other Pokemon.</p>

<p>The EVs listed may look a bit strange, however, they fully maximize Bronzong's potential. The HP is maximized because not only does it help Bronzong's below average base HP get a boost, but it allows Bronzong to take four Seismic Tosses (with Leftovers recovery). The Attack EVs allow Bronzong to OHKO Scarfed Gengar and Weavile, and 2HKO Tyranitar. with Gyro Ball. They also allow the bell to OHKO Infernape and Heatran with Earthquake. The Special Attack EVs let Bronong 2HKO the main OverUsed dragons. The Special Defense and Defense EVs maximize Bronzong's defenses, allowing it to not be OHKO'd by MixApe's Flamethrower or +Speed Nature Heatran's Fire Blast. It also survives a SpecsMence's Fire Blast.</p>

[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Gyro Ball
move 2: Trick Room
move 3: Earthquake / Explosion
move 4: Hypnosis / Explosion
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 8 Def / 96 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The standard Bronzong is capable of setting up a variety of supporting moves and doing decent damage on many Pokemon with its attacking moves and good Attack stat. Usually, a supporting Bronzong is used as a leading Pokémon, as its excellent set of resistances and immunities mean it can easily set up a layer of Stealth Rock or sleep an opponent with Hypnosis before anything else. Gyro Ball is the reason this Bronzong is recommended to be as slow as possible; at a meager 63 Speed, Gyro Ball strikes at near-maximum power on common opposing leads such as Weavile or Gengar. Not too much is capable of withstanding a couple of STAB boosted attacks with over 120 base power, even if Bronzong's Attack stat may leave a bit to be desired. Earthquake is a useful attack for type coverage against Fire and Electric Pokémon, but Reflect or Light Screen can serve as emergency stops to certain attackers and offer even more team support.</p>

[SET]
name: Rest Talk 'Zong
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Gyro Ball
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 62 Atk / 104 Def / 92 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Bronzong makes a fantastic wall with its ample resistances and many support moves, it does however lack a recovery move. This set remedies that problem. Rest and Sleep Talk allow Bronzong to become the status absorber of the team while retaining its walling abilities. Rest and Sleep Talk are, obviously, the core moves of this set, allowing Bronzong to recover any damage and detrimental status it may have acquired. With its abysmal Speed, Gyro Ball can often function at maximum base power against sweepers like ScarfGar and Deoxys-S. Earthquake gives Bronzong good type coverage with its STAB move, letting it hit Pokemon that resist Gyro Ball, namely Heatran, who is OHKO'd by Earthquake. It should be noted that this set isn't perfect. Bronzong cannot inflict much damage to many of the common sleep inducers. These include Breloom, Yanmega, Milotic, Tangrowth and other Bronzong.</p>

<p>The EVs are almost identical to the first moveset, however, with the lack of Hidden Power Ice Special Attack EVs are no longer necessary. However, if you feel like this Bronzong should be your counter to the OU Dragons, use Hidden Power Ice over Earthquake. However, you will need 24 EVs (which you can take from Defense) and add them to Special Attack to guarantee a 2HKO on Garchomp, Salamence, and Dragonite (though Dragonite is only 2HKO'd with Stealth Rock damage). Sassy is the preferred nature for this moveset because while Relaxed is also beneficial to Bronzong by lowering the amount of damage Zong takes from physical attacks, Sassy is much more helpful. For example, while Relaxed lowers the amount of damage taken from Breloom's Focus Punch, it is still a 2HKO, just as it is when using Sassy nature. Also, when using Sassy, Bronzong is able to survive SpecsMence's Fire Blast, where Relaxed is unable to do so.</p>

[SET]
Name: Torrential Zong
Move 1: Rain Dance
Move 2: Explosion
Move 3: Stealth Rock
Move 4: Hypnosis
Item: Damp Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 128 Def
Nature: Impish
Ability: Levitate

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Very rarely is a Pokemon perfectly suited to provide almost exactly what a particular style of team requires. Then again, not many Pokemon have the utility capacity that Bronzong possesses. The EVs are set to give Bronzong more physical bulkiness, as Rain Dance will allow it to survive most Fire Blasts and Flamethrowers, the common special attacks thrown at it. 128 Attack is given to give a boost to Explosion, allowing it to always OHKO 252 HP / 0 Def Snorlax, a common deterrent to Rain Dance teams.</p>

<p>Rain Dance teams require a few factors to be ultimately successful: long lengths of Rain Dance, Stealth Rock, and the removal of some arbitrary Pokemon so that proper switches can be more effectively handled. Bronzong sets up Rain Dance for 8 turns with Damp Rock, allows efficient switching in by Exploding (possibly on a counter), removes a threat by using Hypnosis, and sets up Stealth Rock, so Kingdra can get that guaranteed OHKO on Metagross and Kabutops can get that guaranteed OHKO on other Bronzong.</p>

<p>The reason Gyro Ball and Hidden Power Ice are ignored here is that this Bronzong isn't supposed to be an attacker or last a long time, so these moves are unnecessary. The sole purpose of this Bronzong is to come in sometime in the early to middle parts of battle (note it is not an effective lead), set up Stealth Rock, use Rain Dance, possibly Hypnotize the opponent and then Explode away, leaving 6 turns of Rain for sweepers such as Kingdra, Kabutops, Omastar, or Relicanth.</p>

[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>A Calm Mind set is somewhat viable. However, you'll usually be Blocking your opponents counter to Bronzong, including Heatran, Infernape, and SpecsMence, none of whom you'll be able to Calm Mind against. However, Bronzong does have a good special move pool, including Charge Beam, Psychic and Grass Knot. The latter of which can be used for massive damage against Rhyperior, Hippowdon, and Swampert. However, due to the Special Defense boost in Sandstorm, Gyro Ball is a better option against Tyranitar. With its many resistances and above-par defenses, Bronzong can effectively use Toxic to stall down opponents, though a lack of recovery hurts.</p>

<p>Heatproof is a decent ability to fool an opponent, though you wouldn't be able to switch into Earthquake, and any Fire-type attack will tip off an opponent that you are using Heatproof. Leftovers is usually the preferred item, however, Lum Berry is viable so Bronzong can take a Hypnosis from fast sleep inducers, recover from sleep, and hit back with its own Hypnosis. Also, Macho Brace is a viable choice because it will drastically increase the power of Gyro Ball, hitting even Blissey for a good amount of damage.</p>

[EVS]
<p>Picking out EVs for Bronzong is tricky because it has many different walling and support options. However, for every set you need to maximize HP. While max Leftovers recovery is only eight EVs down from max, when using max HP and Leftovers, you can survive four Seismic Tosses, instead of three. This is crucial when you want Bronzong to set up on Blissey or another Seismic Toss user. After maximizing HP, you'll want to use just enough EVs in the other stats to prove most beneficial. Ususally this involves little attacking EVs while pumping the defenses. On the Trick Room set, eight Defense EVs let Bronzong survive a +2 Garchomp's Fire Fang, so it can explode afterwards.</p>

<p>You'll want Bronzong's Speed to be as low as possible to increase the power of Gyro Ball, thus a -Speed nature along with a zero (or two in the case of Hidden Power Ice), Speed IV.</p>

[OPINION]
<p>With its many common resistances, and only one weakness, Bronzong can make a fantastic Support Pokemon. Its resistance to Rock, Dragon, Ice, and Ground make it a good counter against Pokemon like Weavile, Tyranitar, and Garchomp, as it resists their STAB moves. Though Bronzong can take attacks like Salamence's Draco Meteor, it cannot take repeated powerful attacks due to lack of recovery. Because of this, it is recommended to have a Pokemon with Wish to help Bronzong recover HP.</p>

[COUNTERS]
<p>Thanks to Magnet Pull, Bronzong fears Magnezone if it doesn’t have Earthquake to stop it, and even that can be foiled by Magnet Rise.</p>

<p>Gyarados Intimidates and resists Gyro Ball, but can be Hypnotized or hit by Charge Beam. In fact, most bulky Waters can switch in on Bronzong and slowly wear it down with Surf. Suicune is especially dangerous because it can get a Calm Mind sweep going if Bronzong is foolish enough to stay in. If Bronzong has Rest, it can outstall some Water-types however. Infernape can also switch in on a Gyro Ball and survive, and can finish off a weakened Bronzong—however, if it switches in on Earthquake, its dead. Heatran is in a similar boat, except it takes practically nothing from Gyro Ball thanks to lower Speed, good defenses, and a 4x resistance to Steel. It needs to be able to OHKO Bronzong or it will just get slapped by an Earthquake, assuming Bronzong stays in. Moltres can come in on Bronzong pretty much regardless of what it uses, with the exception of Hypnosis and Explosion. Pressure will eat up two of Gyro Ball's precious 8 PP, and Moltres has STAB Flamethrower to hit back. Moltres also often carries Substitute to block any attempts at Hypnosis once it gets in. Charizard can use Bronzong as a way to set up a Belly Drum sweep, because it usually lacks anything to really damage Charizard with, aside from Explosion (and Charizard often packs Substitute).</p>

<p>Flamethrower Blissey wears it down, assuming Bronzong doesn't have Explosion. Calm Mind Blissey is much of the same, except that it can actually set up something. Celebi can use Leech Seed and easily PP stall, as even Explosion won't OHKO Celebi. Even if Celebi doesn't have Leech Seed, most sets will have more PP than Bronzong does, so they will win a PP war if it comes down to that. Celebi could also Calm Mind up and either overpower Bronzong or Baton Pass out of there. Skarmory can come in on anything Bronzong does and set up Spikes. It doesn't even have to worry about the Block set because Skarmory can use Whirlwind to remove any set up.</p>

Still mistakes that I will fix again but I just fixed all of the obvious ones. Sometimes it rambled on for no reason so Ill be sure to add in changes. Just fixed some minor mistakes atm and added Hippowdon to what Grass Knot would hit.

Bronzogn Earthquake should not ohko heatran so you should mention that in counters somewhere.
 
On your Lead Zong, make a note about where to put your 24 Special Attack EVs, when not using Hidden Power [Ice], and using Earthquake instead.

Do they go to HP, Defense, Special Defense, Attack? It's probably Attack, but make it clear.
 
442.png

Bronzong

[SET]
Name: Standard Wall
Move 1: Gyro Ball
Move 2: Stealth Rock
Move 3: Hypnosis
Move 4: Earthquake / Hidden Power Ice
Item: Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
Nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 62 Atk / 80 Def / 24 SpA / 92 SpD
ivs: 2 Spe


<p>Bronzong makes an outstanding setter up of Stealth Rock, however, if you prefer to use something else, you can forgoe Stealth Rock for the powerful finishing move, Explosion. Said finishing move can do massive damage to standard Blissey and severly cripple or KO other common Pokemon. Alternatively, Reflect or Light Screen can be used if you feel your team could use the support. Lum Berry is a viable option if you're using Bronzong as a lead, as it can counter the many "sleep leads." Hidden Power Electric is a fine choice for the last slot, as it hits Gyarados and Yanmega, among other Pokemon.</p>

<p>The EVs listed may look a bit strange, however, they fully maximize Bronzong's potential. The HP is maximized because not only does it help Bronzong's below average base HP get a boost, but it allows Bronzong to take four Seismic Tosses (with Leftovers recovery). The Attack EVs allow Bronzong to OHKO Scarfed Gengar and Weavile, and 2HKO Tyranitar.(whats the period doing here? it should be a comma.) with Gyro Ball. They also allow the bell to OHKO Infernape and Heatran with Earthquake. The Special Attack EVs let Bronong 2HKO the main OverUsed dragons. The Special Defense and Defense EVs maximize Bronzong's defenses, allowing it to not be OHKO'd by MixApe's Flamethrower or +Speed Nature'd Heatran's Fire Blast. It also survives a SpecsMence's Fire Blast.</p>

[SET]
name: Trick Room
move 1: Gyro Ball
move 2: Trick Room
move 3: Earthquake / Explosion
move 4: Hypnosis / Explosion
item: Life Orb / Lum Berry
ability: Levitate
nature: Relaxed
evs: 252 HP / 152 Atk / 8 Def / 96 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>The standard Bronzong is capable of setting up a variety of supporting moves and doing decent damage on many Pokemon with its attacking moves and good Attack stat. Usually, a supporting Bronzong is used as a leading Pokémon, as its excellent set of resistances and immunities mean it can easily set up a layer of Stealth Rock or sleep an opponent with Hypnosis before anything else. Gyro Ball is the reason this Bronzong is recommended to be as slow as possible; at a meager 63 Speed, Gyro Ball strikes at near-maximum power on common opposing leads such as Weavile or Gengar. Not too much is capable of withstanding a couple of STAB boosted attacks with over 120 base power, even if Bronzong's Attack stat may leave a bit to be desired. Earthquake is a useful attack for type coverage against Fire and Electric Pokémon, but Reflect or Light Screen can serve as emergency stops to certain attackers and offer even more team support.</p>

[SET]
name: Rest Talk 'Zong
move 1: Rest
move 2: Sleep Talk
move 3: Gyro Ball
move 4: Earthquake
item: Leftovers
ability: Levitate
nature: Sassy
evs: 252 HP / 62 Atk / 104 Def / 92 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>While Bronzong makes a fantastic wall with its ample resistances and many support moves, it does however lack a recovery move. This set remedies that problem. Rest and Sleep Talk allow Bronzong to become the status absorber of the team while retaining its walling abilities. Rest and Sleep Talk are, obviously, the core moves of this set, allowing Bronzong to recover any damage and detrimental status it may have acquired. With its abysmal Speed, Gyro Ball can often function at maximum base power against sweepers like ScarfGar and Deoxys-S. Earthquake gives Bronzong good type coverage with its STAB move, letting it hit Pokemon that resist Gyro Ball, namely Heatran, who is OHKO'd by Earthquake. It should be noted that this set isn't perfect. Bronzong cannot inflict much damage to many of the common sleep inducers. These include Breloom, Yanmega, Milotic, Tangrowth, (comma is needed here.) and other Bronzong.</p>

<p>The EVs are almost identical to the first moveset, however, with the lack of Hidden Power Ice Special Attack EVs are no longer necessary. However, if you feel like this Bronzong should be your counter to the OU Dragons, use Hidden Power Ice over Earthquake. However, you will need 24 EVs (which you can take from Defense) and add them to Special Attack to guarantee a 2HKO on Garchomp, Salamence, and Dragonite (though Dragonite is only 2HKO'd with Stealth Rock damage). Sassy is the preferred nature for this moveset because while Relaxed is also beneficial to Bronzong by lowering the amount of damage 'Zong takes from physical attacks, Sassy is much more helpful. For example, while Relaxed lowers the amount of damage taken from Breloom's Focus Punch, it is still a 2HKO, just as it is when using Sassy nature. Also, when using Sassy, Bronzong is able to survive SpecsMence's Fire Blast, where Relaxed is unable to do so.</p>

[SET]
Name: Torrential Zong
Move 1: Rain Dance
Move 2: Explosion
Move 3: Stealth Rock
Move 4: Hypnosis
Item: Damp Rock
EVs: 252 HP / 128 Atk / 128 Def
Nature: Impish
Ability: Levitate

[SET COMMENTS]
<p>Very rarely is a Pokemon perfectly suited to provide almost exactly what a particular style of team requires. Then again, not many Pokemon have the utility capacity that Bronzong possesses. The EVs are set to give Bronzong more physical bulkiness, as Rain Dance will allow it to survive most Fire Blasts and Flamethrowers, the common special attacks thrown at it. 128 Attack is given to give a boost to Explosion, allowing it to always OHKO 252 HP / 0 Def Snorlax, a common deterrent to Rain Dance teams.</p>

<p>Rain Dance teams require a few factors to be ultimately successful: long lengths of Rain, Stealth Rock, and the removal of some arbitrary Pokemon so that proper switches can be more effectively handled. Bronzong sets up Rain Dance for 8 turns with Damp Rock, allows efficient switching in by Exploding (possibly on a counter), removes a threat by using Hypnosis, and sets up Stealth Rock, so Kingdra can get that guaranteed OHKO on Metagross and Kabutops can get that guaranteed OHKO on other Bronzong.</p>

<p>The reason Gyro Ball and Hidden Power Ice are ignored here is that this Bronzong isn't supposed to be an attacker or last a long time, so these moves are unnecessary. The sole purpose of this Bronzong is to come in sometime in the early to middle parts of battle (note it is not an effective lead), set up Stealth Rock, use Rain Dance, possibly Hypnotize the opponent and then Explode away, leaving 6 turns of Rain for a sweeper like Kingdra, Kabutops, Omastar, or Relicanth.</p>

[OTHER OPTIONS]
<p>A Calm Mind set is somewhat viable. However, you'll usually be Blocking your opponents counter to Bronzong, including Heatran, Infernape, and SpecsMence, none of whom you'll be able to Calm Mind against. However, Bronzong does have a good special move pool, including Charge Beam, Psychic and Grass Knot. The latter (its not spelled like how it sounds) of which can be used for massive damage against Rhyperior and Swampert. However, due to the Special Defense boost in Sandstorm, Gyro Ball is a better option against Tyranitar. With its many resistances and above-par defenses, Bronzong can effectively use Toxic to stall down opponents, though a lack of recovery hurts.</p>

<p>Heatproof is an alright ability to fool an opponent, though you wouldn't be able to switch into Earthquake, and any Fire move will tip off an opponent to you using Heatproof. Leftovers is usually the preferred item, however, Lum Berry is viable so Bronzong can take a Hypnosis from fast sleep inducers, recover from sleep, and hit back with its own Hypnosis. Also, Macho Brace is a viable choice because it will drastically increase the power of Gyro Ball, hitting even Blissey for a good amount of damage.</p>
(maybe note that switching into Spikes will give away your ability)

[EVS]
<p>Picking out EVs for Bronzong is tricky because it has many different walling and support options. However, for every set you need to maximize HP. While max Leftovers recovery is only eight EVs down from max, when using max HP and Leftovers, you can survive four Seismic Tosses, instead of three. This is crucial when you want Bronzong to set up on Blissey or another Seismic Toss user. After maximizing HP, you'll want to use just enough EVs in the other stats to prove most beneficial. Ususally this involves little attacking EVs while pumping the defenses. On the Trick Room set, eight Defense EVs let Bronzong survive a +2 Garchomp's Fire Fang, so it can explode afterward.</p>

<p>You'll want Bronzong's Speed to be as low as possible to increase the power of Gyro Ball, thus a -Speed nature along with a zero (or two in the case of Hidden Power Ice), Speed IV.</p>

[OPINION]
<p>With its many common resistances, and only one weakness, Bronzong can make a fantastic Support Pokemon. Its resistance's (needs to be plural ) to Rock, Dragon, Ice, and Ground make it a good counter against Pokemon like Weavile, Tyranitar, and Garchomp, as it resists their STAB moves. Though Bronzong can take attacks like Salamence's Draco Meteor, it cannot take repeated powerful attacks due to lack of recovery. Because of this it is recommended to have a Wish-user to help Bronzong recover (took off the "y" since nothing recoverys HP) HP.</p>

[COUNTERS]
<p>Thanks to Magnet Pull, Bronzong fears Magnezone if it doesn’t have Earthquake to stop it, and even that can be foiled by Magnet Rise.</p>

<p>Gyarados Intimidates and resists Gyro Ball, but can be Hypnotized or hit by Charge Beam. In fact, most bulky Waters can switch in on Bronzong and slowly wear it down with Surf. Suicune is especially dangerous because it can get a Calm Mind sweep going if Bronzong is foolish enough to stay in. If Bronzong has Rest, it can outstall some Waters, however.
Infernape can also switch in on a Gyro Ball and survive, and can finish off a weakened Bronzong—however, if it switches in on Earthquake, it's dead. Heatran is in a similar boat, except it takes practically nothing from Gyro Ball thanks to lower Speed, good defenses, and a 4x resistance to Steel. It needs to be able to OHKO Bronzong or it will just get slapped by an Earthquake, assuming Bronzong stays in. Moltres can come in on Bronzong pretty much regardless of what it uses, with the exception of Hypnosis and Explosion. Pressure will eat up two of Gyro Ball's precious 8 PP, and Moltres has STAB Flamethrower to hit back. Moltres also often carries Substitute to block any attempts at Hypnosis once it gets in. Charizard can use Bronzong as a way to set up a Belly Drum sweep, because it usually lacks anything to really damage Charizard with, aside from Explosion (and Charizard often packs Substitute).</p>

<p>Flamethrower Blissey wears it down, assuming Bronzong doesn't have Explosion. Calm Mind Blissey is much of the same, except that it can actually set up something. Celebi can use Leech Seed and easily PP stall, as even Explosion won't OHKO Celebi. Even if Celebi doesn't have Leech Seed, most sets will have more PP than Bronzong does, so they will win a PP war if it comes down to that. Celebi could also Calm Mind up and either overpower Bronzong or Baton Pass out of there. Skarmory can come in on anything Bronzong does and set up Spikes. It doesn't even have to worry about the Block set because Skarmory can use Whirlwind to remove any set up.</p>

---------------------

I left the Trick Room Set, as well as the Counters section, the same as the original analysis, because I felt like there wasn't anything more to say, and tweaking them might actually be detrimental.

This analysis seems a little more in-depth, and it makes better use of Bronzong's EVs and abilities. Some of the not-so-good sets were removed too... Thanks to the people who helped proofread before I posted this, and help with EVs :D

edited a few mistakes i found, some tense errors, and a few misspellings.
 
Edited in everyone's comments, thanks :)

Though Kusaninja, two things about your edits... It was recently changed in grammar where in a list (the tangrowth sentence), you don't need a comma before the "and," though maybe smogon doesn't follow that? Also, for the plural "resistances" I left it as is because it's referring to each resistance (and resistance's sounded kind of awkward), but I'll change it to plural if it is wrong...
 
In reference to the list.

although im not sure about the other subject. i am fairly certain that you need to pluralize either "resistance" or "make". It doesnt matter which one, but one of them needs to be pluralized. ill go look up what rule or clause it is.
 
Ah ok, never saw that :x I think you're right about the resistance(s) thing, now that I look at it again it looks silly without the "s."

Thanks for your help :D
 
yeah, no problem. i tried correcting darkie on the comma list thing and then he linked to that page. i saved the URL then for future use.

and ive been studying for SAT and ACT for the past few months, so this has been like practice for me.

other than that, to me the set looks good.
 
Bumping and will be uploading an hour or two. Pretty solid work, in my opinion. Any comments?

EDIT: Since this is a pretty major and controversial Edit, i'd like one of the higher-ups to just give me a quick heads up at this being ok. Contributers or Mods, help me out?
 
Really emphasize Explosion on the Trick Room sets, as it allows you to switch in your sweeper for free. I almost think it should be a primary option over Hypnosis...
 
I always thought you were supposed to use Hypnosis first that way you could get the most turns out of Trick Room. My understanding is that you Sleep -> TR -> boom -> 4 turns of TR for your sweeper...instead of TR -> Sleep -> boom or switch -> 3 turns of TR as chris seems to be implying. With the second method you wouldn't need Hypnosis, but you are also much worse off in terms of what happens after zong booms.

Hypnosis should be the main option on its moveslot, but I do support Explosion being the main option over Earthquake. Not only is Magnezone rare, but the free switch that booming provides helps your TR sweeper exponentially.
 
Not a "higher up" but I support this modification to Bronzong 100%. I only have 1 nitpick. I feel like every steel type that is royally screwed by Magnezone, Shed Shell should be mentioned in "Other Options". Yes, I know it's not the best item for Bronzong (I've used it once but my team really, really needed Bronzong alive actually) but I think a slight mention should just be given. Also, just to be consistent, a nod to Probopass should be given somewhere. Maybe almost as an aside like saying

"Thanks to Magnet Pull, Bronzong fears Magnezone (and the lesser seen Probopass) if it doesn’t have Earthquake to stop it, and even that can be foiled by Magnet Rise."

Otherwise, this looks great. I've used Jimbo's modifications to Bronzong and I feel they were better so nice job Jimbo.
 
I can definately vouch for Shed Shell Bronzong to be mentioned somewhere in the analysis; definately worth it.

I'm also not so sure on Hidden Power Ice anymore on the Standard set... I find Gyro Ball is effective enough, and Garchomp is gone now anyway.
 
I'll make all the modifications in a few minutes. Thanks for all the comments guys.

@Chris- I think Jrr hit it on the nose about the moveset, but I definitely will put Explosion > Earthquake.

@Caelum and Havak- Yea you're right about Shed Shell, I've actually seen Magnezone a lot lately trying to fuck with my Zong, so SS would be useful, I'll add it in.

Also @Havak- You're right about HP being less useful now, I'll move it to the set comments and make the physical moves primary.

Congrats on the badge Caelum :)

Edit- Edited in changes. I think I got everything... Made Explosion the main option over EQ in the Trick Room set. Added in mention of Shed Shell in Other Options and removed Hidden Power Ice from the first set, along with mention of the SpA EVs. Hopefully I got it all.
 
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