[OVERVIEW]
Mandibuzz has several impressive defensive qualities, such as its good defensive typing, fantastic Speed tier for a support Pokemon, exceptional defensive stats, and utility movepool that allow it to check a multitude of threats, including Hoopa-U, Kartana, and Excadrill. Because of this, Mandibuzz functions as an effective mixed wall on stall and balanced teams. Mandibuzz's favorable matchup against several Stealth Rock setters also allows it to switch into the battlefield as the entry hazard is being set and immediately Defog it away, which allows it to perform quite consistently. Unfortunately, Mandibuzz is hurt by its Stealth Rock weakness and by the prevalence of Fairy-types in the metagame, such as Clefable, Tapu Lele, and Magearna. Due to this, Mandibuzz can become dead weight against common Pokemon such as Magnezone, Tapu Fini, Mega Sableye, and Tapu Koko. Mandibuzz is also hard to fit on teams that aren't defensively oriented, as its mediocre offenses and tendency to sap momentum keep it from being close to an offensive threat.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Defog
move 3: Roost
move 4: Taunt / Toxic / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 108 SpD / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Foul Play makes up for Mandibuzz's lack of power, as it uses the foe's Attack stat to calculate damage. This allows Mandibuzz to deal sufficient damage to powerful physically attacking threats such as Mega Metagross, Alolan Marowak, and Mega Charizard X. Defog allows Mandibuzz to clear both sides of the field from entry hazards, thus preventing its teammates from taking residual damage. Roost provides Mandibuzz with reliable recovery and allows it to sustain itself throughout the match. Taunt allows Mandibuzz to shut down common defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Chansey as well as keep slower setup sweepers like Zygarde and Mega Scizor from setting up. Toxic is an alternative over Taunt, as it allows Mandibuzz to cripple offensive and defensive Pokemon alike by putting them on a timer. Knock Off is another option that is useful for removing the items of foes, such as Chansey's Eviolite and Tangrowth's Assault Vest.
Set Details
========
248 EVs invested into HP allow Mandibuzz to be as bulky as possible and switch into Stealth Rock four times. 136 Defense and 108 Special Defense EVs with an Impish nature allow Mandibuzz to tank physical and special hits alike, such as Mega Metagross's Meteor Mash, Kartana's Smart Strike, Hoopa-U's Focus Blast, and any of Gengar's STAB attacks. 16 Speed EVs allow Mandibuzz to outpace almost every defensive Pokemon in the tier as well as Speed tie and pressure most Mega Venusaur sets. Overcoat is the preferred ability, as it allows Mandibuzz to switch into powder moves from the likes of Amoonguss and Tangrowth. Leftovers provide Mandibuzz with precious passive recovery at the end of every turn.
Usage Tips
========
Mandibuzz's ability to take at least one hit allows it to reliably pivot and scout out the moves of foes. Its bulk and typing should be put to good use to switch into resisted attacks or neutral coverage. From here, Mandibuzz can use either Foul Play or Toxic alongside Taunt to wear down its foe. Mandibuzz can also use Taunt alongside Defog to remove entry hazards that were set up by Alolan Marowak and Ferrothorn and prevent them from setting any up again. Mandibuzz can force out Pokemon like Gengar and Jirachi and use Defog. Knock Off can be used when predicting switches into defensive Pokemon or Pokemon that aren't threatened by Mandibuzz, such as Chansey, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Lele. It is also useful when scouting a holder of a Z-Crystal. It should be noted that Foul Play is a rather easy move to play around due to the tier's multitude of Dark-resistant Pokemon, meaning that Mandibuzz should be careful when using the move so not to create setup opportunities for foes.
Team Options
========
Reliable switch-ins to Fairy-type attacks, such as Skarmory, bulky Excadrill, and Celesteela, are able to tank hits from the likes of Magearna and Clefable. Switch-ins to Electric-type attacks, such as Alolan Marowak and Landorus-T, are also very appreciated by Mandibuzz. Pokemon that are weak to entry hazards, such as Volcarona, Tornadus-T, and Mega Charizard X all appreciate Mandibuzz's ability to support them with Defog. Because Defog removes your own team's entry hazards, Pokemon that can consistently set them up throughout a match also make for good partners. Examples of these Pokemon include Ferrothorn and Landorus-T. Lastly, due to how heavily status can compromise Mandibuzz's tanking capabilities, it greatly appreciates cleric support from the likes of Chansey and Togekiss.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Whirlwind is an option that allows Mandibuzz to phaze threatening setup sweepers. However, this usually isn't as valuable of a utility option compared to Defog and Taunt due to the latter option's ability to shut down offensive and defensive Pokemon alike. Mandibuzz can use Brave Bird to do more damage to common Pokemon such as Buzzwole and Tapu Bulu, though the lack of Foul Play often renders Mandibuzz useless against big threats such as Mega Metagross and Excadrill. U-turn is an option to lure in one of Mandibuzz's checks and bring in a Pokemon that beats them, though this is at the cost of important utility moves in either Taunt or Defog, which Mandibuzz often relies on as its niche. Rocky Helmet can help Mandibuzz punish physical attackers, though this usually isn't as valuable as the passive recovery Leftovers provides. Mandibuzz can function as either a primary special or physical wall with the proper investment, though it usually does better with mixed defenses due to competition other Dark- or Flying-type walls in Mega Sableye and Celesteela give Mandibuzz.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is capable of using its impressive typing, Magic Bounce ability, and bulk to reliably switch in on any attack Mandibuzz has in its arsenal and use it as setup fodder.
**Fairy-types**: Common Fairy-types such as Magearna and Tapu Lele take almost no damage from Foul Play and are able to threaten Mandibuzz with their super effective STAB attacks. Tapu Koko in particular resists Foul Play and Brave Bird and is able to either OHKO or severely weaken Mandibuzz with either Thunderbolt or Dazzling Gleam. Tapu Fini is also particularly threatening, as it doesn't take much from Foul Play and threatens Mandibuzz with STAB Moonblast or Taunt.
**Powerful Special Attackers**: Several common special attackers are able to threaten Mandibuzz out, given its primary investment is in Defense. Examples include Mega Charizard Y, Greninja, and Volcarona.
**Residual Damage**: Mandibuzz is vulnerable to all relevant forms of status in the metagame, as poison will put it on a timer and burns will negate Leftovers. Stealth Rock is particularly troubling, as it takes away roughly one fourth of Mandibuzz's maximum HP.
**Rock-types**: Terrakion's Justified ability allows it to switch into Mandibuzz's Foul Play to receive an Attack boost and OHKO Mandibuzz with Stone Edge, while other Rock-types such as Tyranitar and Nihilego take minimal damage from Foul Play and threaten Mandibuzz with their super effective STAB attacks.
**Taunt Users**: Due to its reliance on status moves, Mandibuzz is easily shut down by common Taunt users such as Heatran and Tapu Fini.
Mandibuzz has several impressive defensive qualities, such as its good defensive typing, fantastic Speed tier for a support Pokemon, exceptional defensive stats, and utility movepool that allow it to check a multitude of threats, including Hoopa-U, Kartana, and Excadrill. Because of this, Mandibuzz functions as an effective mixed wall on stall and balanced teams. Mandibuzz's favorable matchup against several Stealth Rock setters also allows it to switch into the battlefield as the entry hazard is being set and immediately Defog it away, which allows it to perform quite consistently. Unfortunately, Mandibuzz is hurt by its Stealth Rock weakness and by the prevalence of Fairy-types in the metagame, such as Clefable, Tapu Lele, and Magearna. Due to this, Mandibuzz can become dead weight against common Pokemon such as Magnezone, Tapu Fini, Mega Sableye, and Tapu Koko. Mandibuzz is also hard to fit on teams that aren't defensively oriented, as its mediocre offenses and tendency to sap momentum keep it from being close to an offensive threat.
[SET]
name: Defensive Utility
move 1: Foul Play
move 2: Defog
move 3: Roost
move 4: Taunt / Toxic / Knock Off
item: Leftovers
ability: Overcoat
nature: Impish
evs: 248 HP / 136 Def / 108 SpD / 16 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Foul Play makes up for Mandibuzz's lack of power, as it uses the foe's Attack stat to calculate damage. This allows Mandibuzz to deal sufficient damage to powerful physically attacking threats such as Mega Metagross, Alolan Marowak, and Mega Charizard X. Defog allows Mandibuzz to clear both sides of the field from entry hazards, thus preventing its teammates from taking residual damage. Roost provides Mandibuzz with reliable recovery and allows it to sustain itself throughout the match. Taunt allows Mandibuzz to shut down common defensive Pokemon like Ferrothorn and Chansey as well as keep slower setup sweepers like Zygarde and Mega Scizor from setting up. Toxic is an alternative over Taunt, as it allows Mandibuzz to cripple offensive and defensive Pokemon alike by putting them on a timer. Knock Off is another option that is useful for removing the items of foes, such as Chansey's Eviolite and Tangrowth's Assault Vest.
Set Details
========
248 EVs invested into HP allow Mandibuzz to be as bulky as possible and switch into Stealth Rock four times. 136 Defense and 108 Special Defense EVs with an Impish nature allow Mandibuzz to tank physical and special hits alike, such as Mega Metagross's Meteor Mash, Kartana's Smart Strike, Hoopa-U's Focus Blast, and any of Gengar's STAB attacks. 16 Speed EVs allow Mandibuzz to outpace almost every defensive Pokemon in the tier as well as Speed tie and pressure most Mega Venusaur sets. Overcoat is the preferred ability, as it allows Mandibuzz to switch into powder moves from the likes of Amoonguss and Tangrowth. Leftovers provide Mandibuzz with precious passive recovery at the end of every turn.
Usage Tips
========
Mandibuzz's ability to take at least one hit allows it to reliably pivot and scout out the moves of foes. Its bulk and typing should be put to good use to switch into resisted attacks or neutral coverage. From here, Mandibuzz can use either Foul Play or Toxic alongside Taunt to wear down its foe. Mandibuzz can also use Taunt alongside Defog to remove entry hazards that were set up by Alolan Marowak and Ferrothorn and prevent them from setting any up again. Mandibuzz can force out Pokemon like Gengar and Jirachi and use Defog. Knock Off can be used when predicting switches into defensive Pokemon or Pokemon that aren't threatened by Mandibuzz, such as Chansey, Tapu Koko, and Tapu Lele. It is also useful when scouting a holder of a Z-Crystal. It should be noted that Foul Play is a rather easy move to play around due to the tier's multitude of Dark-resistant Pokemon, meaning that Mandibuzz should be careful when using the move so not to create setup opportunities for foes.
Team Options
========
Reliable switch-ins to Fairy-type attacks, such as Skarmory, bulky Excadrill, and Celesteela, are able to tank hits from the likes of Magearna and Clefable. Switch-ins to Electric-type attacks, such as Alolan Marowak and Landorus-T, are also very appreciated by Mandibuzz. Pokemon that are weak to entry hazards, such as Volcarona, Tornadus-T, and Mega Charizard X all appreciate Mandibuzz's ability to support them with Defog. Because Defog removes your own team's entry hazards, Pokemon that can consistently set them up throughout a match also make for good partners. Examples of these Pokemon include Ferrothorn and Landorus-T. Lastly, due to how heavily status can compromise Mandibuzz's tanking capabilities, it greatly appreciates cleric support from the likes of Chansey and Togekiss.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Whirlwind is an option that allows Mandibuzz to phaze threatening setup sweepers. However, this usually isn't as valuable of a utility option compared to Defog and Taunt due to the latter option's ability to shut down offensive and defensive Pokemon alike. Mandibuzz can use Brave Bird to do more damage to common Pokemon such as Buzzwole and Tapu Bulu, though the lack of Foul Play often renders Mandibuzz useless against big threats such as Mega Metagross and Excadrill. U-turn is an option to lure in one of Mandibuzz's checks and bring in a Pokemon that beats them, though this is at the cost of important utility moves in either Taunt or Defog, which Mandibuzz often relies on as its niche. Rocky Helmet can help Mandibuzz punish physical attackers, though this usually isn't as valuable as the passive recovery Leftovers provides. Mandibuzz can function as either a primary special or physical wall with the proper investment, though it usually does better with mixed defenses due to competition other Dark- or Flying-type walls in Mega Sableye and Celesteela give Mandibuzz.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Mega Sableye**: Mega Sableye is capable of using its impressive typing, Magic Bounce ability, and bulk to reliably switch in on any attack Mandibuzz has in its arsenal and use it as setup fodder.
**Fairy-types**: Common Fairy-types such as Magearna and Tapu Lele take almost no damage from Foul Play and are able to threaten Mandibuzz with their super effective STAB attacks. Tapu Koko in particular resists Foul Play and Brave Bird and is able to either OHKO or severely weaken Mandibuzz with either Thunderbolt or Dazzling Gleam. Tapu Fini is also particularly threatening, as it doesn't take much from Foul Play and threatens Mandibuzz with STAB Moonblast or Taunt.
**Powerful Special Attackers**: Several common special attackers are able to threaten Mandibuzz out, given its primary investment is in Defense. Examples include Mega Charizard Y, Greninja, and Volcarona.
**Residual Damage**: Mandibuzz is vulnerable to all relevant forms of status in the metagame, as poison will put it on a timer and burns will negate Leftovers. Stealth Rock is particularly troubling, as it takes away roughly one fourth of Mandibuzz's maximum HP.
**Rock-types**: Terrakion's Justified ability allows it to switch into Mandibuzz's Foul Play to receive an Attack boost and OHKO Mandibuzz with Stone Edge, while other Rock-types such as Tyranitar and Nihilego take minimal damage from Foul Play and threaten Mandibuzz with their super effective STAB attacks.
**Taunt Users**: Due to its reliance on status moves, Mandibuzz is easily shut down by common Taunt users such as Heatran and Tapu Fini.
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