Battle Spot Dragalge

[zapper22001]

[SET]
name: Trick Room Sweeper
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Hydro Pump / Thunderbolt
move 4: Thunderbolt / Focus Blast / Flip Turn
item: Life Orb / Assault Vest
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest / Quiet
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 252 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

* Adaptability allows Dragalge to be a respectable special attacker. Its Poison / Dragon typing gives it a nice set of resistances and allows it to match up against top threats such as Cinderace, Rillaboom, and Togekiss.

* Draco Meteor and Sludge Wave are Dragalge's strongest possible STAB moves to take full advantage of Adaptability.

* Thunderbolt and Hydro Pump are the best coverage options given Dragalge's underwhelming movepool.

* Thunder can be used for a slightly stronger Max Lightning.

* Focus Blast is an option to hit Steel-types, but because Dragalge prefers to Dynamax, the low BP of Max Knuckle along with the useless secondary effect makes it an unattractive option.

* Flip Turn allows Dragalge to become a slow pivot option outside of Trick Room.

* Life Orb gives Dragalge a consistent power boost and continues to work when Dragalge is Dynamaxed.

* Assault Vest augments Dragalge's Special Defense and helps it to take on Weakness Policy Togekiss outside of Trick Room.

* 244 HP and 12 Def EVs are enough investment to guarantee survival from a Jolly Life Orb Cinderace's Max Airstream. One can opt for a Quiet nature as opposed to Modest in order to outspeed as many foes as possible under Trick Room.

Specific Team Options
========

* Dragalge works best under Trick Room because of its poor Speed, so a Trick Room setter is mandatory. Steel-types do well against both of Dragalge's STAB moves, so Fire-types are also appreciated. Finally, Excadrill is difficult for Dragalge to handle, especially if Trick Room is not up, so Ground-resistant Pokemon that can take a Mold Breaker Earthquake are good teammates.

Trick Room Setters:

Fire-types:

Excadrill Checks :

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zapper22001, 45824]]
- Quality checked by: [[Psynergy, 248085], [Theorymon, 29010]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Estronic, 240732]]

 

[Psynergy]

I'd be interested in other people's thoughts on Flip Turn, I feel like that's an interesting tool that Dragalge has but it doesn't have a lot of usage. This does make sense though since Dragalge really wants its coverage and Flip Turn is contradictory with Trick Room support that you're often using it with, but I feel like if you're not using it with Trick Room support then Flip Turn pivoting gives it some nice leverage. Maybe the coverage is too big of a deal to give up though.

As for teammates, I'd probably add some Ground resists since Excadrill in particular is a huge pain for this thing if Trick Room is not up, Rillaboom and Gyarados come to mind here.

This is a good base otherwise though, at least enough for a QC 1/2.

 

[DreamPrince]

I've been using Weakness Policy alongside Dragalge, so I think it deserves a mention. Dragalge has the bulk and the type to take advantage of Weakness Policy.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8battlestadiumsingles-1156722286

 

[zapper22001]

I'd be interested in other people's thoughts on Flip Turn, I feel like that's an interesting tool that Dragalge has but it doesn't have a lot of usage. This does make sense though since Dragalge really wants its coverage and Flip Turn is contradictory with Trick Room support that you're often using it with, but I feel like if you're not using it with Trick Room support then Flip Turn pivoting gives it some nice leverage. Maybe the coverage is too big of a deal to give up though.

As for teammates, I'd probably add some Ground resists since Excadrill in particular is a huge pain for this thing if Trick Room is not up, Rillaboom and Gyarados come to mind here.

This is a good base otherwise though, at least enough for a QC 1/2.

Thanks for the check. I think it is reasonable to drop a coverage move. Water coverage feels slightly more important so I will rework the slashes. I find myself primarily clicking the STAB moves so I do not think the coverage is super important. Dragalge's poor physical bulk somewhat holds it back as a slow pivot option, but it is probably still worth it. The main issue with using Dragalge out of Trick Room is some important individual matchups become shakier. For instance, you have to worry about Zen Headbutt from Cinderace and High Horsepower from Rillaboom.

I've been using Weakness Policy alongside Dragalge, so I think it deserves a mention. Dragalge has the bulk and the type to take advantage of Weakness Policy.

https://replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen8battlestadiumsingles-1156722286

I felt the main attractive point of using Dragalge was that its set of resistances lined up quite well with the rest of the metagame. I have not tried Weakness Policy since it did not feel like a great abuser of Weakness Policy, though with Dynamax pretty much any bulky Pokemon is a reasonable Weakness Policy user. Weakness Policy feels like an extra hoop to jump through for something that already wants Trick Room support to excel. I need to test it more but the item is probably good enough; Dragon moves from support Dragapult sets, Ice Beam from Porygon2 are good options for getting your Weakness Policy to activate and those moves are somewhat common. It is good to have another damage boosting item since Life Orb is a higher priority item for Pokemon like Cinderace and you cannot always comfortably go for a Max Ooze.

 

[Theorymon]

Alright, Time to check this!

- I think it's important tio note that Hydro Pump is your most damaging move against Excadrill, who can be quite problematic. Granted, Excadrill can totally Dynamax in the face of that, but it's better than nothing.

- Since Psynergy mentioned it: I'm fine with Flip Turn being slashed in personally, since Dragalage isn't totally useless when bringing Trick Room doesn't make sense (granted, I really think it needs TR support to succeed, which you do mention already)

-I'd personally deslash Weakness Policy. While it's certainly usable, Dragalge REALLY wants that TR support, so Trick Room support + Weakness Policy activation is a lot to ask for, when I think Life Orb's power and AV's extra bulk are far more consistent tools for Dragalage. Besides, I think with how valuable that Weakness Policy slot can be, you'll usually find much better users of that than Dragalge.

Otherwise, this is QC Approved 2/2!

 

[zapper22001]

Alright, Time to check this!

- I think it's important tio note that Hydro Pump is your most damaging move against Excadrill, who can be quite problematic. Granted, Excadrill can totally Dynamax in the face of that, but it's better than nothing.

- Since Psynergy mentioned it: I'm fine with Flip Turn being slashed in personally, since Dragalage isn't totally useless when bringing Trick Room doesn't make sense (granted, I really think it needs TR support to succeed, which you do mention already)

-I'd personally deslash Weakness Policy. While it's certainly usable, Dragalge REALLY wants that TR support, so Trick Room support + Weakness Policy activation is a lot to ask for, when I think Life Orb's power and AV's extra bulk are far more consistent tools for Dragalage. Besides, I think with how valuable that Weakness Policy slot can be, you'll usually find much better users of that than Dragalge.

Otherwise, this is QC Approved 2/2!

Thanks for the check. I have made these changes. I will sent this in for a GP check.

 

[Astra]

add remove (comments)

gaming

[SET]
name: Trick Room Sweeper
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Hydro Pump / Thunderbolt
move 4: Thunderbolt / Focus Blast / Flip Turn
item: Life Orb / Assault Vest / Weakness Policy (theorymon said to deslash weakness policy unless something changed, just wanna make sure)
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest / Quiet
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 252 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

* Adaptability allows Dragalge to be a respectable special attacker. Its Poison / Dragon typing gives Dragalge it a nice set of resistances and allows it to match up against top threats such as Cinderace, Rillaboom, (AC) and Togekiss.

* Draco Meteor and Sludge Wave are the Dragalge's strongest possible STAB moves to take full advantage of Adaptability.

* Thunderbolt and Hydro Pump are the best coverage options given Dragalge's underwhelming movepool.

* Thunder can be used for a slightly stronger Max Lightning option.

* Focus Blast is an option to hit Steel-types, (AC) but the because Dragalge prefers to Dynamax and, (AC) the low BP of Max Knuckle along with the unless secondary effect makes Focus Blast it an unattractive option.

* Flip Turn allows Dragalge to become a slow pivot option outside of Trick Room.

* Life Orb gives Dragalge a consistent power boost and continues to work when Dragalge is Dynamaxed.

* Assault Vest augments Dragalge's Special Defense and helps it to take on Weakness Policy Togekiss outside of Trick Room.

* 244 HP and 12 Def is EVs are enough investment to guarantee survival from a Jolly Life Orb Cinderace's Max Airstream. One can opt for a Quiet nature as opposed to Modest in order to outspeed as much many foes as possible under Trick Room.

Specific Team Options
========

* Dragalge works best under Trick Room since it has because of its poor Speed, (AC) so a Trick Room setter is mandatory. Steel-types do well against both of Dragalge's STAB moves, (AC) so Fire-types are also appreciated. Finally, (AC) Excadrill is difficult for Dragalge to handle, (AC) especially if Trick Room is not up. Ground resists, (AC) so Ground-resistant Pokemon that can take a Mold Breaker Earthquake are good teammates.

Trick Room Setters:

Fire-types:

Excadrill Checks :

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zapper22001, 45824]]
- Quality checked by: [[Psynergy, 248085], [Theorymon, 29010]]
- Grammar checked by: [[ ]]

1/1

 

[zapper22001]

add remove (comments)

gaming

[SET]
name: Trick Room Sweeper
move 1: Draco Meteor
move 2: Sludge Wave
move 3: Hydro Pump / Thunderbolt
move 4: Thunderbolt / Focus Blast / Flip Turn
item: Life Orb / Assault Vest / Weakness Policy (theorymon said to deslash weakness policy unless something changed, just wanna make sure)
ability: Adaptability
nature: Modest / Quiet
evs: 244 HP / 12 Def / 252 SpA

[SET COMMENTS]

* Adaptability allows Dragalge to be a respectable special attacker. Its Poison / Dragon typing gives Dragalge it a nice set of resistances and allows it to match up against top threats such as Cinderace, Rillaboom, (AC) and Togekiss.

* Draco Meteor and Sludge Wave are the Dragalge's strongest possible STAB moves to take full advantage of Adaptability.

* Thunderbolt and Hydro Pump are the best coverage options given Dragalge's underwhelming movepool.

* Thunder can be used for a slightly stronger Max Lightning option.

* Focus Blast is an option to hit Steel-types, (AC) but the because Dragalge prefers to Dynamax and, (AC) the low BP of Max Knuckle along with the unless secondary effect makes Focus Blast it an unattractive option.

* Flip Turn allows Dragalge to become a slow pivot option outside of Trick Room.

* Life Orb gives Dragalge a consistent power boost and continues to work when Dragalge is Dynamaxed.

* Assault Vest augments Dragalge's Special Defense and helps it to take on Weakness Policy Togekiss outside of Trick Room.

* 244 HP and 12 Def is EVs are enough investment to guarantee survival from a Jolly Life Orb Cinderace's Max Airstream. One can opt for a Quiet nature as opposed to Modest in order to outspeed as much many foes as possible under Trick Room.

Specific Team Options
========

* Dragalge works best under Trick Room since it has because of its poor Speed, (AC) so a Trick Room setter is mandatory. Steel-types do well against both of Dragalge's STAB moves, (AC) so Fire-types are also appreciated. Finally, (AC) Excadrill is difficult for Dragalge to handle, (AC) especially if Trick Room is not up. Ground resists, (AC) so Ground-resistant Pokemon that can take a Mold Breaker Earthquake are good teammates.

Trick Room Setters:

Fire-types:

Excadrill Checks :

[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[zapper22001, 45824]]
- Quality checked by: [[Psynergy, 248085], [Theorymon, 29010]]
- Grammar checked by: [[ ]]

1/1
View attachment 265087

Thanks for the check. I have implemented these. Not sure what happened with Weakness Policy (I thought I removed it), but it is gone now. I found an additional typo:

Focus Blast is an option to hit Steel-types, but because Dragalge prefers to Dynamax, the low BP of Max Knuckle along with the unless useless secondary effect makes it an unattractive option.

I hope this is change I made is okay. If so, then it should be ready for upload.

 

[Theorymon]

I just had to add the part about Hydro Pump and Excadrill since you forgot that too. Otherwise, this is now uploaded, geat job!