qc: tork / kevin / llama
gp: CAKE / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Dark
========
Mandibuzz's access to Defog, fantastic 110 / 105 / 95 bulk, and access to reliable recovery in Roost make it a necessity for every balanced Dark team and even some offensive ones. Its access to good utility moves like U-turn, Taunt, and Toxic only helps it. It also has a good enough Speed tier to revenge kill massive threats like Belly Drum Azumarill with Foul Play. Mandibuzz's Speed helps it against most other walls as well, since it can outpace Pokemon like Mantine and Chansey and shut them down with Taunt. Mandibuzz's slow U-turn is especially amazing, as it gives teammates like Hydreigon the opportunity to break walls. Mandibuzz's great defensive typing and immunity to Ground are huge for Dark, since the type heavily struggles with attackers like Landorus and Excadrill. Its neutrality to Fighting and Bug also allows Mandibuzz to handle threatening Pokemon like Heracross and Mega Scizor. Mandibuzz, when used in conjunction with Mega Sableye and Tyranitar, forms one of the best defensive cores in the tier. The core has the potential to flat out wall a good number of attackers while providing important utility like Will-O-Wisp, U-turn, Toxic, Stealth Rock, and Defog support for the rest of the team. Mandibuzz specifically is able to provide offensive teams with a switch-in to fast Ground-types like Choice Scarf Excadrill and a more reliable way to check Belly Drum Azumarill. It can also provide all of the aforementioned utility as well. However, the Stealth Rock weakness cripples Mandibuzz greatly, especially on Rocky Helmet sets, as being pressured to remove Stealth Rock as well as check attackers like Heracross can be overwhelming. Mandibuzz also struggles to do anything against special sweepers like Calm Mind Mega Diancie and Calm Mind Suicune. Although Mandibuzz has a great Speed tier for a wall, it struggles against faster Taunt users like Heatran and Gliscor. These cripple it with a faster Taunt and wear it down easily.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility (Dark)
move 1: Roost
move 2: Defog
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: U-turn / Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost gives Mandibuzz a reliable way to heal so that it can more consistently check Pokemon like Heracross thoughout games. Defog lets Mandibuzz clear troublesome entry hazards like Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock for its teammates. Foul Play lets Mandibuzz punish and beat physical setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Azumarill. U-turn lets Mandibuzz capitalize on the momentum it gains when forcing physical attackers out by bringing in wallbreakers like Hydreigon. Taunt gives Mandibuzz a way to punish passive Pokemon like Chansey and Mantine that might try to gain an advantage by setting Stealth Rock or using Defog. Overcoat synergizes with teammates like Tyranitar well and improves Mandibuzz's matchup against sleep inducers like Breloom.
Set Details
========
Rocky Helmet allows Mandibuzz to more easily punish attackers like Mega Lopunny and chip them into a range where teammates like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Greninja can succesfully revenge kill them. Leftovers can be used instead to help mitigate Mandibuzz's Stealth Rock weakness. 248 HP EVs, 244 Defense EVs, and an Impish nature improve Mandibuzz's physical bulk. 16 Speed EVs let Mandibuzz outpace 252 Speed Adamant Azumarill.
Usage Tips
========
Play conservatively against types like Bug and Fighting where Mandibuzz is very useful in checking massive threats like Mega Pinsir and Heracross late-game. However, if you need it to check said threats early-game, play very conservatively, using Roost to heal off any damage taken so that it can more reliably check them late-game. If Mandibuzz has Taunt, try to keep it hidden until an opportune moment. For example, instead of using Taunt against walls like Chansey early-game, chip them down and surprise them with Taunt later on when they're more susceptible. Play wisely against dangerous setup sweepers like Swords Dance Mega Scizor and Dragon Dance Dragonite by switching Mandibuzz in and forcing them out with Foul Play. However, play cautiously against a potential Z-Move from setup sweepers like Dragonite by sacrificing a useless teammate so that Mandibuzz can come back in after and successfully stop the threat. To add to the above point, make sure to keep entry hazards off your side of the field at all times so that Mandibuzz can more easily check some of the aforementioned threats. Capitalize on Mandibuzz's weakness to some walls like Porygon2 and Zapdos by using U-turn on the switch in and going to a wallbreaker like Hydreigon that can take advantage of them. You can also use U-turn to pivot out of physical attackers that can't beat Mandibuzz to gain momentum. U-turn also improves Mandibuzz's matchup against stallbreakers and setup sweepers like Gliscor and Calm Mind Mega Diancie, as it can use U-turn to safely bring in a wallbreaker or revenge killer after they use Taunt on it. Don't sacrifice Mandibuzz for momentum against Fairy teams. It is imperative to keep Mandibuzz healthy against Fairy-type teams, as you'll always need it to revenge kill Belly Drum Azumarill late-game. If utilizing Toxic, cripple Pokemon that beat Mandibuzz, like Zapdos, on the switch in.
Team Options
========
Mega Sableye, when used with Mandibuzz, provides a very strong anti-entry hazard core. In fact, the two of them beat every Stealth Rock user except for Clefable and Mega Diancie. Mega Sableye also absorbs status for Mandibuzz so that the latter can avoid being crippled by Toxic poison. Mega Sableye also beats Pokemon like Mega Gallade that Mandibuzz could potentially struggle against. Alolan Muk provides a switch-in to special attackers like Tapu Koko that Mandibuzz struggles against. It's noticeably helpful against Fairy, where its typing and super effective STAB Poison Jab are useful. Tyranitar provides Stealth Rock support for Mandibuzz so that it can more easily check Pokemon like Mega Pinsir. They synergize especially well thanks to Tyranitar's Thunder Wave, which slows down Pokemon for Mandibuzz's Taunt, and Mandibuzz's Overcoat, which works well with Sand Stream. They also synergize well as far as typing goes, too, as Mandibuzz can help against the Fighting- and Ground-types that Tyranitar is weak to. Mega Tyranitar capitalizes on Mandibuzz's ability to remove entry hazards like Toxic Spikes that trouble it. It also appreciates Mandibuzz's ability to switch into and beat Fighting-types like Heracross. A Life Orb Hydreigon set with Taunt and Roost can take out scary Water-types like Suicune and revenge kill big threats to Mandibuzz like Nidoking and Magnezone. Choice Scarf Hydreigon can be used instead, as it forces out threatening physical attackers like Mega Lopunny. Choice Scarf Greninja can revenge kill wallbreakers like Swords Dance Garchomp that Mandibuzz struggles with. It also appreciates Mandibuzz's Taunt support, which helps it keep its Spikes or even Toxic Spikes up. Mega Sharpedo can be used to beat the Fighting-types like Keldeo and Terrakion that can break past Mandibuzz. Bisharp sets up on walls like Chansey and Skarmory that variants of Mandibuzz lacking Taunt struggle heavily against.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dark
--------
Knock Off gives Mandibuzz more utility against walls like Chansey but loses out on the ability to revenge kill Belly Drum Azumarill. Toxic lets Mandibuzz punish passive walls like Porygon2 and Mantine.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dark
--------
**Fairy-types**: Pokemon like Mega Diancie and Clefable wall Mandibuzz and KO it with their super effective Fairy-type STAB attacks.
**Status**: Status, especially Toxic poison, wears down Mandibuzz alarmingly quickly. Paralysis also prevents Mandibuzz from checking attackers like Azumarill, and full paralysis prevents it from clearing hazards or KOing a physical setup sweepers like Mega Scizor in a pinch.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Super effective Ice-, Rock-, and Electric-type attacks from Pokemon like Kyurem-B, Nihilego, and Tapu Koko destroy Mandibuzz.
**Special Attackers**: Pokemon like Nihilego and Magnezone can take advantage of Mandibuzz's lower special bulk and KO it.
**Stallbreakers**: Stallbreakers like Mew and Gliscor beat Mandibuzz. The former can burn it with Will-O-Wisp and heal off any damage with Roost and the latter can beat it with Toxic or just PP stall it with Taunt.
**Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers like Choice Specs Keldeo and Choice Band Terrakion power through Mandibuzz.
**Walls**: Even variants of Mandibuzz utilizing Taunt can struggle to damage walls like Toxapex and Zapdos, as they can cripple it with super effective coverage or status.
gp: CAKE / tdp
[OVERVIEW]
Dark
========
Mandibuzz's access to Defog, fantastic 110 / 105 / 95 bulk, and access to reliable recovery in Roost make it a necessity for every balanced Dark team and even some offensive ones. Its access to good utility moves like U-turn, Taunt, and Toxic only helps it. It also has a good enough Speed tier to revenge kill massive threats like Belly Drum Azumarill with Foul Play. Mandibuzz's Speed helps it against most other walls as well, since it can outpace Pokemon like Mantine and Chansey and shut them down with Taunt. Mandibuzz's slow U-turn is especially amazing, as it gives teammates like Hydreigon the opportunity to break walls. Mandibuzz's great defensive typing and immunity to Ground are huge for Dark, since the type heavily struggles with attackers like Landorus and Excadrill. Its neutrality to Fighting and Bug also allows Mandibuzz to handle threatening Pokemon like Heracross and Mega Scizor. Mandibuzz, when used in conjunction with Mega Sableye and Tyranitar, forms one of the best defensive cores in the tier. The core has the potential to flat out wall a good number of attackers while providing important utility like Will-O-Wisp, U-turn, Toxic, Stealth Rock, and Defog support for the rest of the team. Mandibuzz specifically is able to provide offensive teams with a switch-in to fast Ground-types like Choice Scarf Excadrill and a more reliable way to check Belly Drum Azumarill. It can also provide all of the aforementioned utility as well. However, the Stealth Rock weakness cripples Mandibuzz greatly, especially on Rocky Helmet sets, as being pressured to remove Stealth Rock as well as check attackers like Heracross can be overwhelming. Mandibuzz also struggles to do anything against special sweepers like Calm Mind Mega Diancie and Calm Mind Suicune. Although Mandibuzz has a great Speed tier for a wall, it struggles against faster Taunt users like Heatran and Gliscor. These cripple it with a faster Taunt and wear it down easily.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility (Dark)
move 1: Roost
move 2: Defog
move 3: Foul Play
move 4: U-turn / Taunt
item: Rocky Helmet / Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 244 Def / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Roost gives Mandibuzz a reliable way to heal so that it can more consistently check Pokemon like Heracross thoughout games. Defog lets Mandibuzz clear troublesome entry hazards like Toxic Spikes and Stealth Rock for its teammates. Foul Play lets Mandibuzz punish and beat physical setup sweepers like Mega Scizor and Azumarill. U-turn lets Mandibuzz capitalize on the momentum it gains when forcing physical attackers out by bringing in wallbreakers like Hydreigon. Taunt gives Mandibuzz a way to punish passive Pokemon like Chansey and Mantine that might try to gain an advantage by setting Stealth Rock or using Defog. Overcoat synergizes with teammates like Tyranitar well and improves Mandibuzz's matchup against sleep inducers like Breloom.
Set Details
========
Rocky Helmet allows Mandibuzz to more easily punish attackers like Mega Lopunny and chip them into a range where teammates like Choice Scarf Hydreigon and Greninja can succesfully revenge kill them. Leftovers can be used instead to help mitigate Mandibuzz's Stealth Rock weakness. 248 HP EVs, 244 Defense EVs, and an Impish nature improve Mandibuzz's physical bulk. 16 Speed EVs let Mandibuzz outpace 252 Speed Adamant Azumarill.
Usage Tips
========
Play conservatively against types like Bug and Fighting where Mandibuzz is very useful in checking massive threats like Mega Pinsir and Heracross late-game. However, if you need it to check said threats early-game, play very conservatively, using Roost to heal off any damage taken so that it can more reliably check them late-game. If Mandibuzz has Taunt, try to keep it hidden until an opportune moment. For example, instead of using Taunt against walls like Chansey early-game, chip them down and surprise them with Taunt later on when they're more susceptible. Play wisely against dangerous setup sweepers like Swords Dance Mega Scizor and Dragon Dance Dragonite by switching Mandibuzz in and forcing them out with Foul Play. However, play cautiously against a potential Z-Move from setup sweepers like Dragonite by sacrificing a useless teammate so that Mandibuzz can come back in after and successfully stop the threat. To add to the above point, make sure to keep entry hazards off your side of the field at all times so that Mandibuzz can more easily check some of the aforementioned threats. Capitalize on Mandibuzz's weakness to some walls like Porygon2 and Zapdos by using U-turn on the switch in and going to a wallbreaker like Hydreigon that can take advantage of them. You can also use U-turn to pivot out of physical attackers that can't beat Mandibuzz to gain momentum. U-turn also improves Mandibuzz's matchup against stallbreakers and setup sweepers like Gliscor and Calm Mind Mega Diancie, as it can use U-turn to safely bring in a wallbreaker or revenge killer after they use Taunt on it. Don't sacrifice Mandibuzz for momentum against Fairy teams. It is imperative to keep Mandibuzz healthy against Fairy-type teams, as you'll always need it to revenge kill Belly Drum Azumarill late-game. If utilizing Toxic, cripple Pokemon that beat Mandibuzz, like Zapdos, on the switch in.
Team Options
========
Mega Sableye, when used with Mandibuzz, provides a very strong anti-entry hazard core. In fact, the two of them beat every Stealth Rock user except for Clefable and Mega Diancie. Mega Sableye also absorbs status for Mandibuzz so that the latter can avoid being crippled by Toxic poison. Mega Sableye also beats Pokemon like Mega Gallade that Mandibuzz could potentially struggle against. Alolan Muk provides a switch-in to special attackers like Tapu Koko that Mandibuzz struggles against. It's noticeably helpful against Fairy, where its typing and super effective STAB Poison Jab are useful. Tyranitar provides Stealth Rock support for Mandibuzz so that it can more easily check Pokemon like Mega Pinsir. They synergize especially well thanks to Tyranitar's Thunder Wave, which slows down Pokemon for Mandibuzz's Taunt, and Mandibuzz's Overcoat, which works well with Sand Stream. They also synergize well as far as typing goes, too, as Mandibuzz can help against the Fighting- and Ground-types that Tyranitar is weak to. Mega Tyranitar capitalizes on Mandibuzz's ability to remove entry hazards like Toxic Spikes that trouble it. It also appreciates Mandibuzz's ability to switch into and beat Fighting-types like Heracross. A Life Orb Hydreigon set with Taunt and Roost can take out scary Water-types like Suicune and revenge kill big threats to Mandibuzz like Nidoking and Magnezone. Choice Scarf Hydreigon can be used instead, as it forces out threatening physical attackers like Mega Lopunny. Choice Scarf Greninja can revenge kill wallbreakers like Swords Dance Garchomp that Mandibuzz struggles with. It also appreciates Mandibuzz's Taunt support, which helps it keep its Spikes or even Toxic Spikes up. Mega Sharpedo can be used to beat the Fighting-types like Keldeo and Terrakion that can break past Mandibuzz. Bisharp sets up on walls like Chansey and Skarmory that variants of Mandibuzz lacking Taunt struggle heavily against.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Dark
--------
Knock Off gives Mandibuzz more utility against walls like Chansey but loses out on the ability to revenge kill Belly Drum Azumarill. Toxic lets Mandibuzz punish passive walls like Porygon2 and Mantine.
Checks and Counters
===================
Dark
--------
**Fairy-types**: Pokemon like Mega Diancie and Clefable wall Mandibuzz and KO it with their super effective Fairy-type STAB attacks.
**Status**: Status, especially Toxic poison, wears down Mandibuzz alarmingly quickly. Paralysis also prevents Mandibuzz from checking attackers like Azumarill, and full paralysis prevents it from clearing hazards or KOing a physical setup sweepers like Mega Scizor in a pinch.
**Super Effective Attacks**: Super effective Ice-, Rock-, and Electric-type attacks from Pokemon like Kyurem-B, Nihilego, and Tapu Koko destroy Mandibuzz.
**Special Attackers**: Pokemon like Nihilego and Magnezone can take advantage of Mandibuzz's lower special bulk and KO it.
**Stallbreakers**: Stallbreakers like Mew and Gliscor beat Mandibuzz. The former can burn it with Will-O-Wisp and heal off any damage with Roost and the latter can beat it with Toxic or just PP stall it with Taunt.
**Wallbreakers**: Strong wallbreakers like Choice Specs Keldeo and Choice Band Terrakion power through Mandibuzz.
**Walls**: Even variants of Mandibuzz utilizing Taunt can struggle to damage walls like Toxapex and Zapdos, as they can cripple it with super effective coverage or status.
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