[SET]
name: Specially Defensive Pivot
move 1: Roost
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Defog / Toxic
item: Sablenite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
In Mix and Mega, Sablenite Mandibuzz acts as a solid defensive answer to menacing offensive threats like Spectrier, Lunala, and Kartana. By virtue of its bulk and access to U-turn, it performs as a blanket special wall and slow pivot whilst also providing entry hazard control through Defog as well as Magic Bounce upon Mega Evolving. Roost ensures Mandibuzz's longevity throughout the match. Foul Play makes Mandibuzz less passive and pressures offensive Ghost-types, all the while deterring setup attempts from physical attackers. U-turn maintains momentum against would-be switch-ins wanting to exploit Mandobuzz as setup bait, such as Dragonite, and can bring a frailer attacker safely on the field after Mandibuzz has sponged a hit. With Defog, Mandibuzz can function as its team's main form of hazard control, although its weakness to Stealth Rock can sometimes overwhelm it in this regard. On teams with other forms of hazard removal, Toxic is a valid means to effectively punish common switch-ins to Mandibuzz such as Entei, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, Altarianite Hippowdon, and Altarianite Zygarde.
The EV and IV distrubtion minimizes Stealth Rock damage and makes Mandibuzz a better slow pivot.
With its slow U-turn, Mandibuzz enables several fast yet frail wallbreakers such as Pheromosa, Regieleki, Zeraora, Spectrier, and Terrakion by bringing them safely in on the field. Moreover, Regieleki's access to Rapid Spin alleviates Mandibuzz's burden to remove entry hazards. Psychic-types such as Mew, Solgaleo, and Tapu Lele appreciate the presence of Mandibuzz as a switch-in to Ghost-types. The same is true for Lunala, which Mandibuzz aids by checking Spectrier and opposing Lunal, whilst also absorbing Knock Off from Kartana and Solgaleo. This last benefit is equally valuable to Ho-Oh and Eternatus. Steel-types such as Magearna and Solgaleo help cover Mandibuzz's vulnerability to Fairy-types and to some Altarianite users. Mandibuzz aids them in return with its Ground immunity. Being weak to strong physical attackers and Electric- and Rock-types, Mandibuzz pairs well with Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Rhyperior, and Altarianite Hippowdon. To defensively answer versatile threats such as Entei, Ho-Oh, and Zygarde, Mandibuzz can be coupled with a blanket physical check such as Slowbro or Manectite Mew. Banettite Toxapex is an option that helps against Entei, Ho-Oh, Eternatus, and Xerneas. In return, Mandibuzz provides a Psychic and Ground immunity, but the core stacks Electric weaknesses. Defensive Dragonite sets offer cleric support, which mitigates Mandibuzz's vulnerability to status from Mold Breaker users as well as moves like Scald and Sludge Bomb, and forces out threats such as Terrakion, Pheromosa, and Zeraora. Mandibuzz in turn checks Lunala and Kartana. However, the duo is weak to prominent Fairy-types and Eternatus. Altarianite Entei is another solid partner to Mandibuzz, as it pressures Zygarde, Dragonite, Terrakion, Zeraora, and Ampharosite Blissey. Mandibuzz returns the favor by removing Stealth Rock as well as by switching into Mew and Lunala.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aggronite foregoes Mandibuzz's Ground immunity in order to reduce the impact of Lunala's coverage moves; acquiring Filter on top of losing its Flying type means Mandibuzz can more reliably switch into Moonblast or Ice Beam, even when Stealth Rock is up.
A Gyaradosite set with a spread of 248 HP / 152 Def / 108 SpD and a Careful nature, with Toxic as the fourth move, turns Mandibuzz into a mixed pivot that is better able to check Solgaleo. With Mold Breaker Toxic, Mandibuzz can additionally cripple Sablenite pivots that are generally sound switch-ins to it, such as Blissey, Mew, Slowbro, Swampert, and Hippowdon. However, this set cannot counter Lunala carrying Moonblast, and the loss of Magic Bounce exacerbates Mandibuzz's susceptibility to status.
Knock Off can present some situational utility by punishing Ho-Oh and Eternatus, but it is generally unwise to forego Foul Play, as Mandibuzz will be extremely passive when facing Kartana, Solgaleo, and other physical attackers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Altarianite Users**: Dragonite, Zygarde, Entei, Hippowdon, and Regieleki all menace Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy-type moves. The resistance to Foul Play means that many of them can freely set up as they force it out.
**Fairy-types**: While Mandibuzz is more sturdy specially, if Tapu Lele, Xerneas, or Calm Mind Magearna sets up, each will muscle through it with relative ease. With Toxic, Mandibuzz can at least put non-Substitute Xerneas versions on a timer, possibly avoiding an all-out sweep.
**Rock-types**: Mandibuzz cannot stomach strong Rock-type moves from the likes of Terrakion, Rhyperior, and Tyranitar. It is thus unable to effectively prevent these Pokemon from setting Stealth Rock.
**Electric-types**: Zeraora, Zapdos, and Magnezone heavily chip at Mandibuzz's health with their strong Electric-type STAB attacks. If Mandibuzz hard switches out to avoid this, it risks conceding momentum to Volt Switch.
**Status**: Mandibuzz's sturdiness will significantly suffer if it is poisoned by Eternatus's Sludge Bomb or Toxic from Ampharosite Blissey or Gyaradosite Toxapex. Additionally, if Mandibuzz is burned by Scald or Sacred Fire, its weaker Foul Play will compromise its ability to properly counter Spectrier and Lunala will be compromised. Furthermore, a Toxic from Ampharosite Blissey or Gyaradosite Toxapex will significantly hamper Mandibuzz's longevity. Particular attention must be paid when bringing Mandibuzz on the field before it Mega Evolves, as the absence of Magic Bounce aggravates its susceptibility status.
**Slower Pivots**: Slowbro, Blissey, and Sablenite Corviknight all have lower base Speed than Mandibuzz, underspeeding it even with 0 Speed IVs, as well as access to pivot moves. Their high viability significantly hampers Mandibuzz's effectiveness as a slow pivot. In particular, Ampharosite Blissey is able to set up Stealth Rock freely on Mandibuzz while also threatening it with Toxic. Mandibuzz has no way to retaliate outside of pivoting, which can result in an inconvenient entry hazard situation for its team.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20, 331804]]
- Quality checked by: [[redflix, 499468], [Quantum Tesseract, 297239]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]
name: Specially Defensive Pivot
move 1: Roost
move 2: Foul Play
move 3: U-turn
move 4: Defog / Toxic
item: Sablenite
ability: Overcoat
nature: Sassy
evs: 248 HP / 8 Def / 252 SpD
ivs: 0 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
In Mix and Mega, Sablenite Mandibuzz acts as a solid defensive answer to menacing offensive threats like Spectrier, Lunala, and Kartana. By virtue of its bulk and access to U-turn, it performs as a blanket special wall and slow pivot whilst also providing entry hazard control through Defog as well as Magic Bounce upon Mega Evolving. Roost ensures Mandibuzz's longevity throughout the match. Foul Play makes Mandibuzz less passive and pressures offensive Ghost-types, all the while deterring setup attempts from physical attackers. U-turn maintains momentum against would-be switch-ins wanting to exploit Mandobuzz as setup bait, such as Dragonite, and can bring a frailer attacker safely on the field after Mandibuzz has sponged a hit. With Defog, Mandibuzz can function as its team's main form of hazard control, although its weakness to Stealth Rock can sometimes overwhelm it in this regard. On teams with other forms of hazard removal, Toxic is a valid means to effectively punish common switch-ins to Mandibuzz such as Entei, Ho-Oh, Zapdos, Altarianite Hippowdon, and Altarianite Zygarde.
The EV and IV distrubtion minimizes Stealth Rock damage and makes Mandibuzz a better slow pivot.
With its slow U-turn, Mandibuzz enables several fast yet frail wallbreakers such as Pheromosa, Regieleki, Zeraora, Spectrier, and Terrakion by bringing them safely in on the field. Moreover, Regieleki's access to Rapid Spin alleviates Mandibuzz's burden to remove entry hazards. Psychic-types such as Mew, Solgaleo, and Tapu Lele appreciate the presence of Mandibuzz as a switch-in to Ghost-types. The same is true for Lunala, which Mandibuzz aids by checking Spectrier and opposing Lunal, whilst also absorbing Knock Off from Kartana and Solgaleo. This last benefit is equally valuable to Ho-Oh and Eternatus. Steel-types such as Magearna and Solgaleo help cover Mandibuzz's vulnerability to Fairy-types and to some Altarianite users. Mandibuzz aids them in return with its Ground immunity. Being weak to strong physical attackers and Electric- and Rock-types, Mandibuzz pairs well with Ground-types such as Landorus-T, Rhyperior, and Altarianite Hippowdon. To defensively answer versatile threats such as Entei, Ho-Oh, and Zygarde, Mandibuzz can be coupled with a blanket physical check such as Slowbro or Manectite Mew. Banettite Toxapex is an option that helps against Entei, Ho-Oh, Eternatus, and Xerneas. In return, Mandibuzz provides a Psychic and Ground immunity, but the core stacks Electric weaknesses. Defensive Dragonite sets offer cleric support, which mitigates Mandibuzz's vulnerability to status from Mold Breaker users as well as moves like Scald and Sludge Bomb, and forces out threats such as Terrakion, Pheromosa, and Zeraora. Mandibuzz in turn checks Lunala and Kartana. However, the duo is weak to prominent Fairy-types and Eternatus. Altarianite Entei is another solid partner to Mandibuzz, as it pressures Zygarde, Dragonite, Terrakion, Zeraora, and Ampharosite Blissey. Mandibuzz returns the favor by removing Stealth Rock as well as by switching into Mew and Lunala.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Aggronite foregoes Mandibuzz's Ground immunity in order to reduce the impact of Lunala's coverage moves; acquiring Filter on top of losing its Flying type means Mandibuzz can more reliably switch into Moonblast or Ice Beam, even when Stealth Rock is up.
A Gyaradosite set with a spread of 248 HP / 152 Def / 108 SpD and a Careful nature, with Toxic as the fourth move, turns Mandibuzz into a mixed pivot that is better able to check Solgaleo. With Mold Breaker Toxic, Mandibuzz can additionally cripple Sablenite pivots that are generally sound switch-ins to it, such as Blissey, Mew, Slowbro, Swampert, and Hippowdon. However, this set cannot counter Lunala carrying Moonblast, and the loss of Magic Bounce exacerbates Mandibuzz's susceptibility to status.
Knock Off can present some situational utility by punishing Ho-Oh and Eternatus, but it is generally unwise to forego Foul Play, as Mandibuzz will be extremely passive when facing Kartana, Solgaleo, and other physical attackers.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Altarianite Users**: Dragonite, Zygarde, Entei, Hippowdon, and Regieleki all menace Mandibuzz with their powerful Fairy-type moves. The resistance to Foul Play means that many of them can freely set up as they force it out.
**Fairy-types**: While Mandibuzz is more sturdy specially, if Tapu Lele, Xerneas, or Calm Mind Magearna sets up, each will muscle through it with relative ease. With Toxic, Mandibuzz can at least put non-Substitute Xerneas versions on a timer, possibly avoiding an all-out sweep.
**Rock-types**: Mandibuzz cannot stomach strong Rock-type moves from the likes of Terrakion, Rhyperior, and Tyranitar. It is thus unable to effectively prevent these Pokemon from setting Stealth Rock.
**Electric-types**: Zeraora, Zapdos, and Magnezone heavily chip at Mandibuzz's health with their strong Electric-type STAB attacks. If Mandibuzz hard switches out to avoid this, it risks conceding momentum to Volt Switch.
**Status**: Mandibuzz's sturdiness will significantly suffer if it is poisoned by Eternatus's Sludge Bomb or Toxic from Ampharosite Blissey or Gyaradosite Toxapex. Additionally, if Mandibuzz is burned by Scald or Sacred Fire, its weaker Foul Play will compromise its ability to properly counter Spectrier and Lunala will be compromised. Furthermore, a Toxic from Ampharosite Blissey or Gyaradosite Toxapex will significantly hamper Mandibuzz's longevity. Particular attention must be paid when bringing Mandibuzz on the field before it Mega Evolves, as the absence of Magic Bounce aggravates its susceptibility status.
**Slower Pivots**: Slowbro, Blissey, and Sablenite Corviknight all have lower base Speed than Mandibuzz, underspeeding it even with 0 Speed IVs, as well as access to pivot moves. Their high viability significantly hampers Mandibuzz's effectiveness as a slow pivot. In particular, Ampharosite Blissey is able to set up Stealth Rock freely on Mandibuzz while also threatening it with Toxic. Mandibuzz has no way to retaliate outside of pivoting, which can result in an inconvenient entry hazard situation for its team.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[Gmansour20, 331804]]
- Quality checked by: [[redflix, 499468], [Quantum Tesseract, 297239]]
- Grammar checked by: [[Finland, 517429], [username2, userid2]]
Last edited:
