[SET]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Substitute / Iron Tail
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Naughty
evs: 108 Atk / 156 SpA / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With a nearly unmatched Speed tier under sand and good attacking combination, Dracozolt becomes a potent wallbreaker that is able to threaten a wide majority of the defensive metagame such as Celesteela and Slowking, while outspeeding and also posing a significant threat to offensive Pokemon like Urshifu-R and Salamence that cannot withstand more than a single hit from it. Additionally, Dracozolt's strong coverage options like Draco Meteor and Fire Blast help prevent Electric-type checks like Amoonguss and Rotom-Heat from switching in safely to try and stall out sand turns. However, Dracozolt is very prediction reliant against the myriad of Ground- and Grass-types in the tier, is highly dependent on sand to function properly, and gets worn down quickly between Life Orb recoil and its middling defensive ability, meaning that it is not a very consistent choice even with the support provided. This leaves Dracozolt to be outshined by more reliable wallbreakers such as offensive Moltres and Life Orb Buzzwole, who both pack additional defensive utility and are equally threatening to the defensive teams that it matches up well against. Draco Meteor allows Dracozolt to hit frailer Ground-types like Krookodile and physically defensive Seismitoad for irrecoverable damage, making them less eager to switch into Bolt Beak throughout the game. Fire Blast nails Grass-types that may try to pivot around Bolt Beak or Draco Meteor such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss. Substitute eases prediction and allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the many forced switches against targets such as Scizor, Slowking, and Celesteela while keeping it protected from revenge killing attempts outside of sand as well as potential status moves, although Iron Tail is an option that can be used to 2HKO Mega Altaria, who otherwise resists all of Dracozolt's moves, but is rather unreliable due to its meager accuracy and only useful for that specific matchup. The given EV spread allows Dracozolt to outspeed +1 Salamence under sand and OHKO physically defensive Tangrowth with Fire Blast after Stealth Rock.
Since Dracozolt only fits on sand teams, Hippowdon is a mandatory teammate, as it sets up the sand needed for Dracozolt to outspeed and score as many KOes as possible. Furthermore, its ability to also set up Stealth Rock helps with chipping away at Pokemon like Mega Altaria and Tangrowth that might try to switch around Dracozolt's attacks. Offensive Water-types such as Urshifu-R and Primarina typically pose a massive threat to these builds, so checks like Amoonguss, Slowking, and Volcanion are essential for their ability to help the sand team manage these Pokemon throughout the game. Pivots such as Scizor, Rotom-W, and Slowking can help Dracozolt overcome its defensive shortcomings and allow it to safely hit the field against a Pokemon that it threatens out like Celesteela. Slowking and Rotom-W are especially notable, as they also carry moves such as Future Sight and Hydro Pump to help weaken Ground-types like Swampert and Rhyperior. Options to remove opposing entry hazards also benefit Dracozolt's longevity in the long-run, so Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Moltres, and Galarian Weezing can help in this regard. Lastly, Dracozolt is very vulnerable to Ground-types while they are healthy, so sturdy Ground checks like Skarmory, Tangrowth, and Buzzwole are crucial. Additionally, other offensive Pokemon like King's Shield + Toxic Aegislash and offensive Moltres can help Dracozolt out by luring in and wearing down these Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band allows Dracozolt to be more immediately threatening, as it can afford to maximize it's Attack and thus be able to 2HKO even Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Swampert with Outrage, while preventing it from being worn down as easily due to the lack of Life Orb recoil, but being locked into one move is not desirable for a Pokemon relying on limited turns to wallbreak, and is easily taken advantage of after attacking. Hustle sets with Substitute + Dragonium Z can be used to pose a greater threat to Ground and Grass-types, as a boosted Devastating Drake is capable of heavily damaging or outright OHKOing most of them with the boost in mind, but it is overall inconsistent beyond the use of the Z-Move and easily forced out if it misses an attack or more susceptible to revenge killing attempts without the Speed boost from Sand Rush.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Defensive Ground-types**: Ground-types are immune to Bolt Beak, usually don't mind taking a Draco Meteor or Fire Blast, and can deal heavy damage or outright OHKO Dracozolt with Earthquake in return. Hippowdon, Gligar, and Gastrodon even have access to recovery moves to stay healthy, although Physically Defensive variants of the former two should be wary of taking Draco Meteor while chipped. Others such as Swampert, Rhyperior, and Seismitoad, while not permanent walls, have the bulk needed to take Dracozolt's attacks and are able to retaliate back in a similar manner afterwards.
**Mega Altaria**: Mega Altaria is able to resist most of Dracozolt's attacks and often runs enough bulk investment to take boosted Bolt Beaks after Mega Evolving. It is then able to OHKO Dracozolt with Pixilate-boosted Return, or in Hyper Voice's case, bypass Substitute in the process. Although Mega Altaria should be mindful of a potential Iron Tail while trying to switch in.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Assault Vest Tangrowth and Amoonguss can easily sponge Dracozolt's STABs while being able to survive a Fire Blast if needed. They can then in return cripple Dracozolt with status and in Tangrowth's case, remove Life Orb with Knock Off or hit Dracozolt hard with Earthquake if running it. Although both can struggle versus a well-timed Fire Blast on the switch with hazards and sandstorm chip damage in play.
**Revenge Killers**: Choice Scarf and priority users such as Mienshao and Mamoswine can even outpace Dracozolt in sand and inflict heavy amounts of damage or pick it off at low HP with their STAB attacks. While faster Pokemon such as Urshifu-R and Terrakion can do the same and force Dracozolt out if sand isn't up. However, none of these Pokemon can switch in without great risk, and will often lose the matchup once Dracozolt gets behind a Substitute.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Arishem, 546157]]
- Quality checked by: [[Pubo, 535121], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
name: Life Orb
move 1: Bolt Beak
move 2: Draco Meteor
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Substitute / Iron Tail
item: Life Orb
ability: Sand Rush
nature: Naughty
evs: 108 Atk / 156 SpA / 244 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
With a nearly unmatched Speed tier under sand and good attacking combination, Dracozolt becomes a potent wallbreaker that is able to threaten a wide majority of the defensive metagame such as Celesteela and Slowking, while outspeeding and also posing a significant threat to offensive Pokemon like Urshifu-R and Salamence that cannot withstand more than a single hit from it. Additionally, Dracozolt's strong coverage options like Draco Meteor and Fire Blast help prevent Electric-type checks like Amoonguss and Rotom-Heat from switching in safely to try and stall out sand turns. However, Dracozolt is very prediction reliant against the myriad of Ground- and Grass-types in the tier, is highly dependent on sand to function properly, and gets worn down quickly between Life Orb recoil and its middling defensive ability, meaning that it is not a very consistent choice even with the support provided. This leaves Dracozolt to be outshined by more reliable wallbreakers such as offensive Moltres and Life Orb Buzzwole, who both pack additional defensive utility and are equally threatening to the defensive teams that it matches up well against. Draco Meteor allows Dracozolt to hit frailer Ground-types like Krookodile and physically defensive Seismitoad for irrecoverable damage, making them less eager to switch into Bolt Beak throughout the game. Fire Blast nails Grass-types that may try to pivot around Bolt Beak or Draco Meteor such as Tangrowth and Amoonguss. Substitute eases prediction and allows Dracozolt to take advantage of the many forced switches against targets such as Scizor, Slowking, and Celesteela while keeping it protected from revenge killing attempts outside of sand as well as potential status moves, although Iron Tail is an option that can be used to 2HKO Mega Altaria, who otherwise resists all of Dracozolt's moves, but is rather unreliable due to its meager accuracy and only useful for that specific matchup. The given EV spread allows Dracozolt to outspeed +1 Salamence under sand and OHKO physically defensive Tangrowth with Fire Blast after Stealth Rock.
Since Dracozolt only fits on sand teams, Hippowdon is a mandatory teammate, as it sets up the sand needed for Dracozolt to outspeed and score as many KOes as possible. Furthermore, its ability to also set up Stealth Rock helps with chipping away at Pokemon like Mega Altaria and Tangrowth that might try to switch around Dracozolt's attacks. Offensive Water-types such as Urshifu-R and Primarina typically pose a massive threat to these builds, so checks like Amoonguss, Slowking, and Volcanion are essential for their ability to help the sand team manage these Pokemon throughout the game. Pivots such as Scizor, Rotom-W, and Slowking can help Dracozolt overcome its defensive shortcomings and allow it to safely hit the field against a Pokemon that it threatens out like Celesteela. Slowking and Rotom-W are especially notable, as they also carry moves such as Future Sight and Hydro Pump to help weaken Ground-types like Swampert and Rhyperior. Options to remove opposing entry hazards also benefit Dracozolt's longevity in the long-run, so Pokemon such as Rotom-W, Moltres, and Galarian Weezing can help in this regard. Lastly, Dracozolt is very vulnerable to Ground-types while they are healthy, so sturdy Ground checks like Skarmory, Tangrowth, and Buzzwole are crucial. Additionally, other offensive Pokemon like King's Shield + Toxic Aegislash and offensive Moltres can help Dracozolt out by luring in and wearing down these Pokemon.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Choice Band allows Dracozolt to be more immediately threatening, as it can afford to maximize it's Attack and thus be able to 2HKO even Ground-types such as Hippowdon and Swampert with Outrage, while preventing it from being worn down as easily due to the lack of Life Orb recoil, but being locked into one move is not desirable for a Pokemon relying on limited turns to wallbreak, and is easily taken advantage of after attacking. Hustle sets with Substitute + Dragonium Z can be used to pose a greater threat to Ground and Grass-types, as a boosted Devastating Drake is capable of heavily damaging or outright OHKOing most of them with the boost in mind, but it is overall inconsistent beyond the use of the Z-Move and easily forced out if it misses an attack or more susceptible to revenge killing attempts without the Speed boost from Sand Rush.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Defensive Ground-types**: Ground-types are immune to Bolt Beak, usually don't mind taking a Draco Meteor or Fire Blast, and can deal heavy damage or outright OHKO Dracozolt with Earthquake in return. Hippowdon, Gligar, and Gastrodon even have access to recovery moves to stay healthy, although Physically Defensive variants of the former two should be wary of taking Draco Meteor while chipped. Others such as Swampert, Rhyperior, and Seismitoad, while not permanent walls, have the bulk needed to take Dracozolt's attacks and are able to retaliate back in a similar manner afterwards.
**Mega Altaria**: Mega Altaria is able to resist most of Dracozolt's attacks and often runs enough bulk investment to take boosted Bolt Beaks after Mega Evolving. It is then able to OHKO Dracozolt with Pixilate-boosted Return, or in Hyper Voice's case, bypass Substitute in the process. Although Mega Altaria should be mindful of a potential Iron Tail while trying to switch in.
**Grass-types**: Grass-types like Assault Vest Tangrowth and Amoonguss can easily sponge Dracozolt's STABs while being able to survive a Fire Blast if needed. They can then in return cripple Dracozolt with status and in Tangrowth's case, remove Life Orb with Knock Off or hit Dracozolt hard with Earthquake if running it. Although both can struggle versus a well-timed Fire Blast on the switch with hazards and sandstorm chip damage in play.
**Revenge Killers**: Choice Scarf and priority users such as Mienshao and Mamoswine can even outpace Dracozolt in sand and inflict heavy amounts of damage or pick it off at low HP with their STAB attacks. While faster Pokemon such as Urshifu-R and Terrakion can do the same and force Dracozolt out if sand isn't up. However, none of these Pokemon can switch in without great risk, and will often lose the matchup once Dracozolt gets behind a Substitute.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Arishem, 546157]]
- Quality checked by: [[Pubo, 535121], [username2, userid2]]
- Grammar checked by: [[username1, userid1]]
Last edited:
