Again, idk if this is needed, but already wrote one here so I figured I'd leave it in case it seemed a good idea to add it to the dex.
[Introduction]
Exeggutor is one of the 4 best Pokemon in RBY OU. You should use it on nearly every team that you build. It offers a wide variety of traits which are difficult to cover for otherwise. It resists Ground, Psychic, Electric, and other less significant offensive types, whilst having high stats all-round. It offers Sleep in Sleep powder, Paralysis in Stun Spore, Explosion, a strong STAB with a good secondary effect that's resisted by few Pokemon in Psychic, as well as other utility moves, such as Mega Drain, Hyper Beam, Leech Seed, Egg Bomb, and others. Whilst it has abusable weakness (most notably Ice), it has more than enough fantastic traits to allow it to be one of the best pokemon in the metagame.
[Sets]
name: standard utility
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Explosion
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Stun Spore / Hyper Beam
[Set Details]
This is your standard multi-purpose Exeggutor. Psychic is your STAB, and your strongest special attack (apart from the fairly useless Solarbeam, which is less powerful over 2 turns anyway apart from versus Psychic or Water types). Sleep Powder allows you to successfully spread sleep if your lead cannot achieve that, or later on in the match (as is some players' preference). Explosion does massive damage and self-sacrifices - it's a good way to help stop Slowbro, Tauros, Chansey, or remove almost whatever your team needs at the time. Stun Spore lets you spread paralysis, and also means you can avoid being set-up bait for dragonite (after Sleep Clause is activated, without sacrificing itself).
Mega Drain does significant damage to Starmie, huge damage to the Rocks (although they'll only switch in to soak an Explosion) - although Psychic does inflict major losses to their remaining HP anyway. Whilst the health gain is small from most targets, it notably allows it to take an extra Seismic Toss. Furthermore it can always survive (non-critical hit) Hyper Beam from Tauros and Drill Peck from Zapos after taking 2 Seismic Tosses (typically Seismic Toss taken from a lead Alakazam). The extra damage versus Starmie and Slowbro, and the small other benefits make it a legetimate consideration to carry Mega Drain, however Exeggutor generally feels somewhat strapped for choice, and Stun Spore is a very strong move to drop.
Hyper Beam is an interesting option - it allows it to take out Paralyzed Jynx from a higher HP range (Jynx can prevent Sleep Powder from Exeggutor longer into the game if it's Paralyzed) - it can also get suprise KOs on other Psychic resists and Chansey from higher HP Ranges than Psychic could, without sacrificing itself to Explosion. Egg Bomb and Double Edge are both similar in some ways, and legitimate options in the final slot (although not listed above) if your team requires the specific support they offer over any other of Exeggutor's options. Egg Bomb can be used to force Chansey into a position of predictable recovery, whilst the Double Edge recoil is perhaps too great for that. Both can pressure opposing Alakazam nicely, and that's similarly true versus Jynx (on the switch in usually) - an extra turn for Jynx to wreak havoc is something you should usually wish to avoid - which is why the accuracy of Egg Bomb is something to avoid. Nevertheless, the cost upon Exeggutor's survivability of Double Edge is pretty large, so using it on an aggressive team that doesn't require significant longevity from Exeggutor is probably appropriate. Running Stun Spore over Sleep Powder or Explosion is an option alongside any of the normal moves - whilst there's some opportunity cost to each choice (particularly with Sleep Powder - you'd need another sleeper that consistently function outside of the lead position. The main candidates are Sing Chansey or Lapras, but a Gengar or Jynx outside of the lead slot are viable to a certain degree also) bear in mind that not running Stun Spore has its own costs too. Being prime set-up bait for Dragonite or relatively unthreatening versus Tauros when Sleep Clause is active - with Exploding being your only option in many circumstances - is possibly the largest cost, but Exeggutor is a good spreader of Paralysis anyway - although it does attract certain targets more often than others (Chansey, Lapras, Jynx, etc.). It also lets it forced out a Rhydon (or Golem) hiding behind a Substitute.
[set]
name: Defensive
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Rest
move 4: Stun Spore
[Set Details]
This is a very different and suprisingly potent set of Exeggutor's. Although it's challenging to get used to the way in which you play it, learning it and supporting it in the right context can make it a fantastic force. Unlike other Exeggutors, this can stare down Snorlax 1vs1 consistently (although beware Ice Beam variants) although Restlax wins on PP. Leech Seed is very useful for helping to defeat Slowbro (although you cannot handle the rare ones carrying Ice Beam) - unlike standard Exeggutor you achieve this without having to sacrifice yourself. This set can put pressure on Chansey, as well as beating it when both Pokemon remain at the end in a 1vs1 due to Stun Spore's gigantic PP and the PP saving effect of Rest although if they freeze you with a lot of Ice Beam PP left you may well lose. Stun Spore also helps you not be bait for many threats such as Tauros or Dragonite. The sets main issue is opposing Exeggutor which you can hardly touch, as well as lacking the capaciy to sleep the opponent. For these reasons Jynx or Lapras are excellent partners, providing Sleep and being the best answers to Exeggutor that exist - although Lapras can't come in ona Psychic if it calls a Special fall, Jynx cannot consistently Sleep in the lead position due to Gengar, and is threatened by mixed variants of Exeggutor. Rhydon or Golem might make a good partner to this Exeggutor too - it spreads Paralysis well, and is good at wearing down opposing Exeggutors.
Returning to the benefits of Leech Seed, another inmportant feature of it is the capacity to spread the healing to teammates, for example bringing a Pokemon just outside of the KO range of Tauros's Hyper Beam. For example, Lapras pairs particularly well with this Exeggutor variant, since it enjoys the healing effects of Leech Seed, and since Chansey is a common switch into Exeggutor, it not only gains from the healing that Chansey's gigantic HP Stat merits, but the quadruple Ice resistance lets it switch into opposing Chansey fairly freely. The Exeggutor set's play is as flexible as the team it's on in terms of exploitable synergies and possibly chain switching, when augmented with Leech Seed. Often this set is seen on those teams that are built without the use of a Tauros, so the fact that it makes a passable initial switch into Tauros if it's brought into play early game is highly beneficial - the recovery of Rest and Leech Seed provided throughout the game mean that it's often damage that it can afford to take - at least, moreso than other members of the team.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
Exeggutor has few viable ones outside of the ones listed. As mentioned in the discussion of the first set, though not slashed, is the possibility of Double Edge or Egg Bomb - as I say though, this is already mentioned, and it's fully detailed there. The possibility of running Psychic + Rest + Double Powder is an option too, although it's almost never seen nowadays because it's lackluster at remaining usefully in play longer than a set with Explosion when it lacks Leech Seed, whilst also lacking the option to self-sacrifice and remove a valuable piece of the opponent's team. In short, it's too unspecialised of a set for Exeggutor to warrant use. Stomp is another interesting move in Exeggutor's movepool, but it is restricted from being used with any of the powder moves, so it's not viable. Toxic and Leech Seed combined can be very effective at wearing down opponents, but since Regular Poisoning (gained after switching out from the Badly Poisoned Status inflicted by Toxic) is often a poor status to inflict compared to Paralysis, Sleep, or Freezing, that it's often an inferior option, especially when competing for a moveslot on Exeggutor.
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
Jynx resists Psychic, outspeeds, can threaten with Lovely Kiss and Blizzard, as well as having a high critical hit rate. All in all, it's a nightmare for Exeggutor, and the Pokemon that blocks its Sleep Powder the best when Paralyzed. It only has to fear certain normal attacks from Exeggutor, but otherwise is the most aggressive answer to it. However, if it can be predicted when it will switch in, it can be very abusable for an offensively enough inclined team. Gengar is the other lead that has access to a fast Sleep move. Whilst, once its used its Hypnosis, Exeggutor is one of the very best answers to Gengar, this fact simultaneously allows Gengar to guarantee a Night Shade and possibly an Explosion versus Exeggutor early on, meaning that Pokemon that particularly desire Exeggutor to be highly crippled enjoy being paired with Gengar. Blizzard Starmie can threaten Exeggutor in the lead spot too, however it fears Mega Drain whilst asleep or Paralyzed, and doesn't really act as a form of answer to it outside of that scenario.
Other Psychic types (such as Alakazam or Exeggutor) and Chansey that lack a weakness to Grass can act as good checks to Exeggutor rendering its Psychic attack useless, but they all fear Explosion, whilst some also fear status, whilst the capacity to get Special falls for Exeggutor can make some of these imperfect switch-ins, especially when the switch-in is Paralyzed. Ice types, such as Lapras and Cloyster, whilst having difficulty switching in (due to Exeggutor's reasonable critical hit rate, high Special and STAB on Psychic, combined with the chance of a Special drop), if brought in safely, can consistently force Exeggutor out. It's also worth mentioning Ice Beam Slowbro can force out Exeggutor, but that's not normally worth considering - it is a great lure for Defensive Exeggutor however. Also, Jolteon and Zapdos can hit it with a super-effective Pin Missile (which can OHKO in the scenario of 5 hits on a Critical Hit) or STAB Drill Peck, which are powerful enough to force Exeggutor out. Fire and Poison types can also potentially force Exeggutor out, but they're rarerly seen or considered, but nevertheless a benefit worth noting should you ever consider using one of them.
[Introduction]
Exeggutor is one of the 4 best Pokemon in RBY OU. You should use it on nearly every team that you build. It offers a wide variety of traits which are difficult to cover for otherwise. It resists Ground, Psychic, Electric, and other less significant offensive types, whilst having high stats all-round. It offers Sleep in Sleep powder, Paralysis in Stun Spore, Explosion, a strong STAB with a good secondary effect that's resisted by few Pokemon in Psychic, as well as other utility moves, such as Mega Drain, Hyper Beam, Leech Seed, Egg Bomb, and others. Whilst it has abusable weakness (most notably Ice), it has more than enough fantastic traits to allow it to be one of the best pokemon in the metagame.
[Sets]
name: standard utility
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Explosion
move 3: Sleep Powder
move 4: Stun Spore / Hyper Beam
[Set Details]
This is your standard multi-purpose Exeggutor. Psychic is your STAB, and your strongest special attack (apart from the fairly useless Solarbeam, which is less powerful over 2 turns anyway apart from versus Psychic or Water types). Sleep Powder allows you to successfully spread sleep if your lead cannot achieve that, or later on in the match (as is some players' preference). Explosion does massive damage and self-sacrifices - it's a good way to help stop Slowbro, Tauros, Chansey, or remove almost whatever your team needs at the time. Stun Spore lets you spread paralysis, and also means you can avoid being set-up bait for dragonite (after Sleep Clause is activated, without sacrificing itself).
Mega Drain does significant damage to Starmie, huge damage to the Rocks (although they'll only switch in to soak an Explosion) - although Psychic does inflict major losses to their remaining HP anyway. Whilst the health gain is small from most targets, it notably allows it to take an extra Seismic Toss. Furthermore it can always survive (non-critical hit) Hyper Beam from Tauros and Drill Peck from Zapos after taking 2 Seismic Tosses (typically Seismic Toss taken from a lead Alakazam). The extra damage versus Starmie and Slowbro, and the small other benefits make it a legetimate consideration to carry Mega Drain, however Exeggutor generally feels somewhat strapped for choice, and Stun Spore is a very strong move to drop.
Hyper Beam is an interesting option - it allows it to take out Paralyzed Jynx from a higher HP range (Jynx can prevent Sleep Powder from Exeggutor longer into the game if it's Paralyzed) - it can also get suprise KOs on other Psychic resists and Chansey from higher HP Ranges than Psychic could, without sacrificing itself to Explosion. Egg Bomb and Double Edge are both similar in some ways, and legitimate options in the final slot (although not listed above) if your team requires the specific support they offer over any other of Exeggutor's options. Egg Bomb can be used to force Chansey into a position of predictable recovery, whilst the Double Edge recoil is perhaps too great for that. Both can pressure opposing Alakazam nicely, and that's similarly true versus Jynx (on the switch in usually) - an extra turn for Jynx to wreak havoc is something you should usually wish to avoid - which is why the accuracy of Egg Bomb is something to avoid. Nevertheless, the cost upon Exeggutor's survivability of Double Edge is pretty large, so using it on an aggressive team that doesn't require significant longevity from Exeggutor is probably appropriate. Running Stun Spore over Sleep Powder or Explosion is an option alongside any of the normal moves - whilst there's some opportunity cost to each choice (particularly with Sleep Powder - you'd need another sleeper that consistently function outside of the lead position. The main candidates are Sing Chansey or Lapras, but a Gengar or Jynx outside of the lead slot are viable to a certain degree also) bear in mind that not running Stun Spore has its own costs too. Being prime set-up bait for Dragonite or relatively unthreatening versus Tauros when Sleep Clause is active - with Exploding being your only option in many circumstances - is possibly the largest cost, but Exeggutor is a good spreader of Paralysis anyway - although it does attract certain targets more often than others (Chansey, Lapras, Jynx, etc.). It also lets it forced out a Rhydon (or Golem) hiding behind a Substitute.
[set]
name: Defensive
move 1: Psychic
move 2: Leech Seed
move 3: Rest
move 4: Stun Spore
[Set Details]
This is a very different and suprisingly potent set of Exeggutor's. Although it's challenging to get used to the way in which you play it, learning it and supporting it in the right context can make it a fantastic force. Unlike other Exeggutors, this can stare down Snorlax 1vs1 consistently (although beware Ice Beam variants) although Restlax wins on PP. Leech Seed is very useful for helping to defeat Slowbro (although you cannot handle the rare ones carrying Ice Beam) - unlike standard Exeggutor you achieve this without having to sacrifice yourself. This set can put pressure on Chansey, as well as beating it when both Pokemon remain at the end in a 1vs1 due to Stun Spore's gigantic PP and the PP saving effect of Rest although if they freeze you with a lot of Ice Beam PP left you may well lose. Stun Spore also helps you not be bait for many threats such as Tauros or Dragonite. The sets main issue is opposing Exeggutor which you can hardly touch, as well as lacking the capaciy to sleep the opponent. For these reasons Jynx or Lapras are excellent partners, providing Sleep and being the best answers to Exeggutor that exist - although Lapras can't come in ona Psychic if it calls a Special fall, Jynx cannot consistently Sleep in the lead position due to Gengar, and is threatened by mixed variants of Exeggutor. Rhydon or Golem might make a good partner to this Exeggutor too - it spreads Paralysis well, and is good at wearing down opposing Exeggutors.
Returning to the benefits of Leech Seed, another inmportant feature of it is the capacity to spread the healing to teammates, for example bringing a Pokemon just outside of the KO range of Tauros's Hyper Beam. For example, Lapras pairs particularly well with this Exeggutor variant, since it enjoys the healing effects of Leech Seed, and since Chansey is a common switch into Exeggutor, it not only gains from the healing that Chansey's gigantic HP Stat merits, but the quadruple Ice resistance lets it switch into opposing Chansey fairly freely. The Exeggutor set's play is as flexible as the team it's on in terms of exploitable synergies and possibly chain switching, when augmented with Leech Seed. Often this set is seen on those teams that are built without the use of a Tauros, so the fact that it makes a passable initial switch into Tauros if it's brought into play early game is highly beneficial - the recovery of Rest and Leech Seed provided throughout the game mean that it's often damage that it can afford to take - at least, moreso than other members of the team.
[OTHER OPTIONS]
Exeggutor has few viable ones outside of the ones listed. As mentioned in the discussion of the first set, though not slashed, is the possibility of Double Edge or Egg Bomb - as I say though, this is already mentioned, and it's fully detailed there. The possibility of running Psychic + Rest + Double Powder is an option too, although it's almost never seen nowadays because it's lackluster at remaining usefully in play longer than a set with Explosion when it lacks Leech Seed, whilst also lacking the option to self-sacrifice and remove a valuable piece of the opponent's team. In short, it's too unspecialised of a set for Exeggutor to warrant use. Stomp is another interesting move in Exeggutor's movepool, but it is restricted from being used with any of the powder moves, so it's not viable. Toxic and Leech Seed combined can be very effective at wearing down opponents, but since Regular Poisoning (gained after switching out from the Badly Poisoned Status inflicted by Toxic) is often a poor status to inflict compared to Paralysis, Sleep, or Freezing, that it's often an inferior option, especially when competing for a moveslot on Exeggutor.
[CHECKS AND COUNTERS]
Jynx resists Psychic, outspeeds, can threaten with Lovely Kiss and Blizzard, as well as having a high critical hit rate. All in all, it's a nightmare for Exeggutor, and the Pokemon that blocks its Sleep Powder the best when Paralyzed. It only has to fear certain normal attacks from Exeggutor, but otherwise is the most aggressive answer to it. However, if it can be predicted when it will switch in, it can be very abusable for an offensively enough inclined team. Gengar is the other lead that has access to a fast Sleep move. Whilst, once its used its Hypnosis, Exeggutor is one of the very best answers to Gengar, this fact simultaneously allows Gengar to guarantee a Night Shade and possibly an Explosion versus Exeggutor early on, meaning that Pokemon that particularly desire Exeggutor to be highly crippled enjoy being paired with Gengar. Blizzard Starmie can threaten Exeggutor in the lead spot too, however it fears Mega Drain whilst asleep or Paralyzed, and doesn't really act as a form of answer to it outside of that scenario.
Other Psychic types (such as Alakazam or Exeggutor) and Chansey that lack a weakness to Grass can act as good checks to Exeggutor rendering its Psychic attack useless, but they all fear Explosion, whilst some also fear status, whilst the capacity to get Special falls for Exeggutor can make some of these imperfect switch-ins, especially when the switch-in is Paralyzed. Ice types, such as Lapras and Cloyster, whilst having difficulty switching in (due to Exeggutor's reasonable critical hit rate, high Special and STAB on Psychic, combined with the chance of a Special drop), if brought in safely, can consistently force Exeggutor out. It's also worth mentioning Ice Beam Slowbro can force out Exeggutor, but that's not normally worth considering - it is a great lure for Defensive Exeggutor however. Also, Jolteon and Zapdos can hit it with a super-effective Pin Missile (which can OHKO in the scenario of 5 hits on a Critical Hit) or STAB Drill Peck, which are powerful enough to force Exeggutor out. Fire and Poison types can also potentially force Exeggutor out, but they're rarerly seen or considered, but nevertheless a benefit worth noting should you ever consider using one of them.
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