QC: TONE114 / Raiza. / GrimoireGod
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / Winry
[OVERVIEW]
Dragonair has a great defensive typing that allows it to set up on a variety of Pokemon, but it is walled by Fairy- and Steel-types such as Clefairy, Togetic, and Klang. Dragonair faces competition from Fraxure and Zweilous as physical Dragon-types, which are preferred over it due to their greater offensive presence and more valuable offensive movepool. However, Dragonair is the only one that's able to pull off a bulky RestTalk sweeper set. Dragonair can absorb status and heal it off with Rest, activating Marvel Scale in the process, but it isn't a reliable sweeper, as it sometimes has to rely on Sleep Talk rolls to get the move it wants. Dragonair's mono-Dragon typing takes away valuable secondary STAB moves and can make it easy to wall. Dragonair can use Eviolite to boost its defenses, but it relies on the item to be useful and therefore is severely weak to Knock Off and Trick, as the former can take away its Eviolite and the second can lock it into a status move. Dragonair can wall special attackers such as Ninetales, Raichu, and Zebstrika and can use them as setup fodder, as they are forced to switch out.
[SET]
name: Rest Talk Sweeper
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Dragon Dance
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Marvel Scale
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 188 SpD / 24 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage gains a STAB bonus and has high Base Power, but it has the downside of locking Dragonair into it and causing confusion; however, if it is picked by Sleep Talk, Dragonair will not be locked into it. Dragon Dance allows Dragonair to outpace Pokemon as well as increase its Attack, allowing it to do more damage to an opposing team. Rest allows Dragonair to heal back its HP, remove status, and activate Marvel Scale. Sleep Talk allows Dragonair to use a move while it's asleep, but it has the downside of relying on luck to get the move it wants.
Set Details
========
Running a specially defensive spread with maximum HP allows Dragonair to survive three unboosted Ice Beams from Poliwrath and two Ice Beams from Life Orb Simipour in combination with an Eviolite, while 24 Speed EVs allow Dragonair to outspeed Floatzel after two Dragon Dance boosts. 44 Attack EVs allows it to 2HKO Pokemon such as Ninetales and offensive Roselia. Marvel Scale allows Dragonair to become even more bulky when it is asleep or statused by giving it a boost to its Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Utilize Dragonair late-game to attempt to clean the opposing team after it has been weakened. After a few Dragon Dance boosts, Outrage is the main move that Dragonair will use to clean the opposing team, although Dragonair will be locked into it and the confusion afterwards can be detrimental. Before attempting a sweep, be sure to take out Fairy-types and weaken Steel-types on the opposing team, as they can wall Dragonair with a few exceptions, such as Pawniard. Dragonair is able to set up on Probopass and Metang, rendering Dragonair capable of breaking them. Dragonair is able to switch in on special attackers such as Raichu, Zebstrika, and Ninetales and get a free Rest or Dragon Dance against them the next turn. When possible, use Rest to gain a Marvel Scale boost as well as heal Dragonair's HP and status. Dragonair could switch in on an incoming Scald or status move, as it can act as a decent status absorber by virtue of Rest.
Team Options
========
Probopass, Klang, and Pawniard can take on Steel-, Ice-, and Fairy-type Pokemon and allow Dragonair to clean more easily. Probopass can also use an Air Balloon to trap Steel-types and do solid damage to Fairy- and Ice-types, while Klang and Pawniard can set up on them. Entry hazard removers, such as Togetic, Pelipper, Armaldo, and Torkoal, are helpful, as entry hazards can prevent Dragonair from having unlimited opportunities to switch in on special attackers. Arbok, Seviper, and Roselia can take on Fairy-types with their Poison-type moves. Machoke and Poliwrath can take on Steel-type Pokemon but struggle with Fairy-types. Ground-types such as Torterra and Piloswine can take on Steel-types as well, but the former is weak to Ice-type moves. Ninetales, Rapidash, Poliwrath, and Klang are very helpful to Dragonair, as they can take on Ice-types. Knock Off users such as Machoke, Simipour, Leafeon, and Lickilicky can cripple Eviolite users for Dragonair, including Fairy-types such as Togetic and Clefairy. Pokemon that can switch in on Knock Off, such as Poliwrath, Probopass, and Carracosta, can allow Dragonair to keep its Eviolite. Physical wallbreakers such as Stoutland, Ursaring, Flareon, and Rapidash can take on physically defensive walls, such as Gourgeist-XL and Pelipper, allowing Dragonair to sweep more easily. Dragonair also appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Quilladin, Roselia, Probopass, Piloswine, and Carracosta to weaken foes as they switch in, as well as break Focus Sash and Sturdy. Pokemon that are weak to status moves, such as Jumpluff, Kingler, Leafeon, and Mightyena, appreciate Dragonair's ability to absorb them with Rest. Pokemon that have weaknesses to special moves such as Zebstrika, Tangela, Simipour, Raichu, and Pawniard appreciate Dragonair's special bulk.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragonair can run a maximum Attack and Speed EV spread with Outrage, Extreme Speed, Dragon Dance, and Iron Tail or Waterfall with Shed Skin, but Fraxure performs this role better, as it has much higher Attack, access to Taunt, and the ability to take Steel-type Pokemon on better with Low Kick or Fairy-type Pokemon with Iron Tail, while it lacks a bit more Speed and a weak priority move. Dragonair could also run Dragon Tail over Outrage to phaze foes, but this causes it to lose out on offensive presence and negates its Speed boosts when it is not asleep. If Dragonair chooses to run this, be sure to have appropriate entry hazards on its team, as it can phaze foes and make them take residual damage from entry hazards. Dragonair can utilize Thunder Wave to slow down foes and offer speed control for its teammates. Dragonair could use the ability Shed Skin to wake up from sleep or heal off status quickly, but then it loses the Defense boost that Marvel Scale provides.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Carbink, Clefairy, Mr. Mime, and Togetic completely wall Dragonair and can switch in for free against it. Dragonair's teammates must take them out before Dragonair attempts a sweep. Carbink and Clefairy can also use Dragonair as setup fodder, as they can use Calm Mind against it.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Regice, Rotom-F, Aurorus, and Piloswine can do severe damage to Dragonair with their Ice-type moves. Piloswine takes low amounts of damage from Outrage, and Rotom-F can outpace Dragonair with a Choice Scarf even if it has two Dragon Dance boosts and use Trick to cripple it or Volt Switch on its predicted switch out.
**Steel-types**: Klang, Pawniard, Metang, and other Steel-types must be taken out or weakened before Dragonair attempts anything, as they can take Dragon-type moves well. Probopass can even set up entry hazards against it or Volt Switch out, while Klang can set up Shift Gears and Pawniard can use Swords Dance.
**Taunt and Encore users**: Pokemon such as Floatzel, Misdreavus, Simipour, Kadabra, and Volbeat can cripple Dragonair by using Taunt or Encore. Dragonair can do solid damage against these Pokemon if it isn't Encored into a setup move.
**Phazers**: Grumpig, Poliwrath, and Lickilicky can phaze Dragonair with Whirlwind, Circle Throw, and Dragon Tail, respectively, and get rid of its stat boosts, though they have to look out for an Outrage.
GP: The Dutch Plumberjack / Winry
[OVERVIEW]
Dragonair has a great defensive typing that allows it to set up on a variety of Pokemon, but it is walled by Fairy- and Steel-types such as Clefairy, Togetic, and Klang. Dragonair faces competition from Fraxure and Zweilous as physical Dragon-types, which are preferred over it due to their greater offensive presence and more valuable offensive movepool. However, Dragonair is the only one that's able to pull off a bulky RestTalk sweeper set. Dragonair can absorb status and heal it off with Rest, activating Marvel Scale in the process, but it isn't a reliable sweeper, as it sometimes has to rely on Sleep Talk rolls to get the move it wants. Dragonair's mono-Dragon typing takes away valuable secondary STAB moves and can make it easy to wall. Dragonair can use Eviolite to boost its defenses, but it relies on the item to be useful and therefore is severely weak to Knock Off and Trick, as the former can take away its Eviolite and the second can lock it into a status move. Dragonair can wall special attackers such as Ninetales, Raichu, and Zebstrika and can use them as setup fodder, as they are forced to switch out.
[SET]
name: Rest Talk Sweeper
move 1: Outrage
move 2: Dragon Dance
move 3: Rest
move 4: Sleep Talk
item: Eviolite
ability: Marvel Scale
nature: Careful
evs: 252 HP / 44 Atk / 188 SpD / 24 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Outrage gains a STAB bonus and has high Base Power, but it has the downside of locking Dragonair into it and causing confusion; however, if it is picked by Sleep Talk, Dragonair will not be locked into it. Dragon Dance allows Dragonair to outpace Pokemon as well as increase its Attack, allowing it to do more damage to an opposing team. Rest allows Dragonair to heal back its HP, remove status, and activate Marvel Scale. Sleep Talk allows Dragonair to use a move while it's asleep, but it has the downside of relying on luck to get the move it wants.
Set Details
========
Running a specially defensive spread with maximum HP allows Dragonair to survive three unboosted Ice Beams from Poliwrath and two Ice Beams from Life Orb Simipour in combination with an Eviolite, while 24 Speed EVs allow Dragonair to outspeed Floatzel after two Dragon Dance boosts. 44 Attack EVs allows it to 2HKO Pokemon such as Ninetales and offensive Roselia. Marvel Scale allows Dragonair to become even more bulky when it is asleep or statused by giving it a boost to its Defense.
Usage Tips
========
Utilize Dragonair late-game to attempt to clean the opposing team after it has been weakened. After a few Dragon Dance boosts, Outrage is the main move that Dragonair will use to clean the opposing team, although Dragonair will be locked into it and the confusion afterwards can be detrimental. Before attempting a sweep, be sure to take out Fairy-types and weaken Steel-types on the opposing team, as they can wall Dragonair with a few exceptions, such as Pawniard. Dragonair is able to set up on Probopass and Metang, rendering Dragonair capable of breaking them. Dragonair is able to switch in on special attackers such as Raichu, Zebstrika, and Ninetales and get a free Rest or Dragon Dance against them the next turn. When possible, use Rest to gain a Marvel Scale boost as well as heal Dragonair's HP and status. Dragonair could switch in on an incoming Scald or status move, as it can act as a decent status absorber by virtue of Rest.
Team Options
========
Probopass, Klang, and Pawniard can take on Steel-, Ice-, and Fairy-type Pokemon and allow Dragonair to clean more easily. Probopass can also use an Air Balloon to trap Steel-types and do solid damage to Fairy- and Ice-types, while Klang and Pawniard can set up on them. Entry hazard removers, such as Togetic, Pelipper, Armaldo, and Torkoal, are helpful, as entry hazards can prevent Dragonair from having unlimited opportunities to switch in on special attackers. Arbok, Seviper, and Roselia can take on Fairy-types with their Poison-type moves. Machoke and Poliwrath can take on Steel-type Pokemon but struggle with Fairy-types. Ground-types such as Torterra and Piloswine can take on Steel-types as well, but the former is weak to Ice-type moves. Ninetales, Rapidash, Poliwrath, and Klang are very helpful to Dragonair, as they can take on Ice-types. Knock Off users such as Machoke, Simipour, Leafeon, and Lickilicky can cripple Eviolite users for Dragonair, including Fairy-types such as Togetic and Clefairy. Pokemon that can switch in on Knock Off, such as Poliwrath, Probopass, and Carracosta, can allow Dragonair to keep its Eviolite. Physical wallbreakers such as Stoutland, Ursaring, Flareon, and Rapidash can take on physically defensive walls, such as Gourgeist-XL and Pelipper, allowing Dragonair to sweep more easily. Dragonair also appreciates entry hazard support from Pokemon such as Quilladin, Roselia, Probopass, Piloswine, and Carracosta to weaken foes as they switch in, as well as break Focus Sash and Sturdy. Pokemon that are weak to status moves, such as Jumpluff, Kingler, Leafeon, and Mightyena, appreciate Dragonair's ability to absorb them with Rest. Pokemon that have weaknesses to special moves such as Zebstrika, Tangela, Simipour, Raichu, and Pawniard appreciate Dragonair's special bulk.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dragonair can run a maximum Attack and Speed EV spread with Outrage, Extreme Speed, Dragon Dance, and Iron Tail or Waterfall with Shed Skin, but Fraxure performs this role better, as it has much higher Attack, access to Taunt, and the ability to take Steel-type Pokemon on better with Low Kick or Fairy-type Pokemon with Iron Tail, while it lacks a bit more Speed and a weak priority move. Dragonair could also run Dragon Tail over Outrage to phaze foes, but this causes it to lose out on offensive presence and negates its Speed boosts when it is not asleep. If Dragonair chooses to run this, be sure to have appropriate entry hazards on its team, as it can phaze foes and make them take residual damage from entry hazards. Dragonair can utilize Thunder Wave to slow down foes and offer speed control for its teammates. Dragonair could use the ability Shed Skin to wake up from sleep or heal off status quickly, but then it loses the Defense boost that Marvel Scale provides.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Fairy-types**: Fairy-types such as Carbink, Clefairy, Mr. Mime, and Togetic completely wall Dragonair and can switch in for free against it. Dragonair's teammates must take them out before Dragonair attempts a sweep. Carbink and Clefairy can also use Dragonair as setup fodder, as they can use Calm Mind against it.
**Ice-types**: Ice-types such as Regice, Rotom-F, Aurorus, and Piloswine can do severe damage to Dragonair with their Ice-type moves. Piloswine takes low amounts of damage from Outrage, and Rotom-F can outpace Dragonair with a Choice Scarf even if it has two Dragon Dance boosts and use Trick to cripple it or Volt Switch on its predicted switch out.
**Steel-types**: Klang, Pawniard, Metang, and other Steel-types must be taken out or weakened before Dragonair attempts anything, as they can take Dragon-type moves well. Probopass can even set up entry hazards against it or Volt Switch out, while Klang can set up Shift Gears and Pawniard can use Swords Dance.
**Taunt and Encore users**: Pokemon such as Floatzel, Misdreavus, Simipour, Kadabra, and Volbeat can cripple Dragonair by using Taunt or Encore. Dragonair can do solid damage against these Pokemon if it isn't Encored into a setup move.
**Phazers**: Grumpig, Poliwrath, and Lickilicky can phaze Dragonair with Whirlwind, Circle Throw, and Dragon Tail, respectively, and get rid of its stat boosts, though they have to look out for an Outrage.
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