[OVERVIEW]
Slowbro is capable of checking or countering a large number of common, highly dangerous Pokemon including Mega Medicham, Keldeo, Zygarde, and non-Dark Pulse Greninja. Combined with its access to Regenerator and its access to a good utility move in STAB Scald, Slowbro functions as a solid pivot for bulky offensive and balanced teams. Furthermore, its access to Calm Mind alongside its Mega Evolution's titanic Defense stat and immunity to critical hits (courtesy of Shell Armor) allows it to function as a decent wincon that can be exceptionally difficult for a lot of teams to remove. That said, Mega Slowbro faces difficulty against a number of metagame trends, namely Ash-Greninja and Tapu Koko's prevalence, and is particularly susceptible to status. This is compounded by its cripplingly low Speed stat, which means that it will often find itself taking a hit before it can move, and its low Special Defense. Consequently, it is hard to justify using Slowbro as a bulky Water-type over options like Toxapex and Tapu Fini, which fare better versus Pokemon such as Ash-Greninja and have better mixed bulk.
[SET]
name: Mega Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Slack Off
item: Slowbronite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald is Slowbro's strongest attack and is capable of spreading burns. Ice Beam covers Zygarde and Garchomp, OHKOes Landorus-T, and gives Slowbro an option to pose a threat to Latios that attempt to switch in on it. Fire Blast is important to prevent Ferrothorn from setting up multiple layers of Spikes in front of Slowbro while being its strongest option for pressuring Tangrowth, although Assault Vest variants still fear little from Slowbro. Slack Off is important to ensure that Slowbro can wall things with ease while making up for the lack of Regenerator after Slowbro has Mega Evolved. Psychic is also an option over Fire Blast or Ice Beam that allows non-Mega Slowbro to 2HKO physically defensive Toxapex after Stealth Rock, whereas Toxic allows Slowbro to catch Assault Vest Tangrowth switch-ins and opposing bulky Water-types other than Toxapex and Tapu Fini, weakening them for teammates later on in the match.
Set Details
========
The listed EV spread maximizes Slowbro's HP stat and hits the last Defense jump point, amplifying both Mega and non-Mega Slowbro's ability to take on physical attackers; the remaining EVs are dumped into Special Defense to increase Slowbro's consistency in checking special attackers such as Keldeo and Greninja. More Special Attack investment can be run, but this makes it harder for Slowbro to check Pokemon such as the aforementioned and Mega Medicham. Alternatively, if you opt to give Slowbro Psychic, 44 Speed EVs can be run to outspeed Toxapex. Slowbronite is the item of choice, allowing Slowbro to Mega Evolve and gain a noticeable increase in bulk as well as a little extra punch behind its attack. Regenerator allows Slowbro to function as an effective pivot before it is in a position where it is favorable to Mega Evolve.
Usage Tips
========
Use non-Mega Slowbro to pivot into Pokemon that it checks, such as Greninja, Zygarde, and Keldeo, and do not Mega Evolve until Regenerator is no longer needed, unless forced to do so in order to check something on the opponent's team. Be wary of dangerous Pokemon like Ash-Greninja that fear little from Slowbro, and try to bring Slowbro out against physical attackers rather than special attackers unless the hit is resisted.
Team Options
========
Secondary Regenerator users like Tornadus-T, Tangrowth, and Amoonguss can form Regenerator cores with Slowbro, which can prove to be a nuisance to penetrate for a lot of Pokemon. In addition to the aforementioned two, Grass-types like Ferrothorn are generally nice for their ability to help keep Electric- and Grass-types in check. Ground-types like Landorus-T, Zygarde, Garchomp, and Mamoswine, as well as Lightning Rod Alolan Marowak, are also able to help against Electric-types. Pokemon that clear entry hazards, such as Mew, Latios, and Skarmory, are useful for their ability to improve the consistency with which Slowbro can check things while maximizing the amount of utility that it gets out of Regenerator. These, as well as Poison-types like Nidoking, Gengar, and Amoonguss, are also extremely useful for easing the effects of Toxic Spikes. Pokemon that can absorb Toxic such as Heatran and Clefable are useful too because the move is detrimental to Slowbro's ability to function, with the former getting a special mention for its excellent defensive synergy with Slowbro. More specifically, it covers Grass-types for Slowbro while appreciating the latter's ability to handle Fighting-types and offensive Water-types, barring Ash-Greninja. To add to this, other Pokemon that struggle with Steel- or Fighting-types, such as Tapu Bulu, Chansey, and Garchomp, really appreciate Slowbro's ability to keep them in check. Wallbreakers such as Choice Specs Latios and Choice Specs Gengar help account for Slowbro's somewhat underwhelming firepower. Spikes support from Ferrothorn, Greninja, or Ash-Greninja can help Slowbro take full advantage of the switches that it forces while helping circumvent the aforementioned firepower issue.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Scald
move 2: Calm Mind
move 3: Slack Off
move 4: Psyshock / Ice Beam
item: Slowbronite / Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
Scald functions as an excellent utility option due to solid power and its nasty burn rate. Calm Mind allows Slowbro to patch up its low Special Defense and increase its power, which works in tandem with Mega Slowbro's titanic Defense stat to allow it to function as a wincon once its answers have been removed. Slack Off helps Slowbro retain longevity even after Mega Evolving and set up multiple Calm Minds. Psyshock allows Slowbro to break through Keldeo, is its strongest option versus Toxapex, and helps Mega Slowbro win Calm Mind wars versus Clefable. Ice Beam, on the other hand, allows Slowbro to eliminate Zygarde and helps it versus Tangrowth and Latios. It is also useful for its ability to OHKO Garchomp and Landorus-T without a boost, allowing it to beat Z-Move variants that set up as it switches in. Fire Blast is also an option over Psyshock or Ice Beam to prevent Ferrothorn from setting up multiple layers of Spikes in front of Slowbro, but Ferrothorn doesn't appreciate being burned and loses to Mega Slowbro one-on-one regardless, although Leech Seed can prove itself to be annoying while Mega Slowbro is setting up.
Set Details
========
The listed EVs aim to increase the physical bulk for both Slowbro and Mega Slowbro; HP investment is maximized, the Defense EVs hit the last jump point, and the remaining EVs are dumped into Special Defense to help Slowbro take special hits from Pokemon it checks, such as Keldeo and non-Dark Pulse Greninja. If Slowbro is holding Leftovers, 28 Special Defense EVs are also an option to provide marginally more physical bulk while still surviving two Hydro Pumps from Choice Specs Keldeo after Stealth Rock, or 68 Special Defense EVs can be used to allow Slowbro to recover all the damage dealt by uninvested Rotom-W's Volt Switch with Slack Off if its Leftovers is intact; the same defensive benchmarks can be hit with Slowbronite by running 80 or 124 Special Defense EVs, respectively. Regardless of item, running 108 Special Defense EVs is also an option, which lets unboosted Slowbro avoid the OHKO from Life Orb Latios's Draco Meteor from full health. If Psyshock is used, running 44 Speed EVs is also an option to hit Toxapex with Psyshock before it can use Haze. Slowbronite is the preferred option due to Mega Slowbro's higher level of consistency when handling dangerous Pokemon like Mega Medicham and Mega Mawile, but Leftovers is perfectly acceptable on teams that use a different Mega Evolution. Regenerator is the ability of choice to maximize Slowbro's effectiveness as a pivot before it Mega Evolves.
Usage Tips
========
Use Slowbro to pivot into or break through Pokemon that it checks, such as Greninja and Zygarde; do not Mega Evolve until Regenerator is no longer needed. Don't try to sweep with Calm Mind until all threats to Slowbro have been removed. That said, setting up to allow Slowbro to check a certain threat before it is ready to sweep is a valid (albeit situational) strategy. Set up the first Calm Mind against Pokemon that struggle to dent Slowbro, such as offensive Water-types like Keldeo or defensive Ground-types like Landorus-T.
Team Options
========
Secondary Regenerator users like Tangrowth, Amoonguss, and Tornadus-T can be used to form Regenerator cores with Slowbro, which can give a lot of teams a huge headache. Ground-types like Landorus-T and Zygarde are excellent at covering Electric-types for Slowbro, as are Lightning Rod Alolan Marowak and Grass-types such as the aforementioned Regenerator users and Ferrothorn; these Pokemon can also cover Grass-types nicely. Pokemon that can take on Ash-Greninja, such as Assault Vest Tangrowth, as well as those that can beat other Dark-types like Bisharp and Weavile for Leftovers Slowbro, such as Clefable and Keldeo (the latter of which also checks Ash-Greninja), can prove invaluable due to Slowbro's tendency to invite these types of Pokemon in. Similarly, Pokemon that can trap and eliminate Gengar and Alolan Marowak, such as Weavile, Alolan Muk, Tyranitar, and Pursuit Dugtrio, make for excellent partners. Other Alolan Marowak checks such as Landorus-T are also appreciated. Spikes users like Ferrothorn and both Greninja formes are useful for wearing Pokemon down so that Slowbro's partners can clear the way for Slowbro to safely sweep Pokemon that appreciate Fighting- and Steel-types such as Mega Medicham, Keldeo, and Heavy Slam Celesteela being kept in check by Slowbro, including Ferrothorn, Tapu Bulu, Clefable, and Heatran, also make good teammates. The latter two also function as effective status absorbers, which can prove to be invaluable support due to Slowbro's susceptibility to moves like Toxic. Poison-types like Gengar and Amoonguss are useful for their ability to clear Toxic Spikes, as are Defog and Rapid Spin users like Mega Scizor, Excadrill, Skarmory, and Mew. Powerful wallbreakers like Choice Specs Latios, Choice Specs Gengar, Tapu Lele, and Choice Band Tapu Bulu help make up for Slowbro's somewhat low unboosted firepower and weaken foes to allow Slowbro to sweep.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
Thunder Wave can be used to allow Slowbro to function in more of a defensive utility role rather than as a tank or sweeper, providing a solid speed control option and crippling common switch-ins like Dark Pulse Greninja, which Slowbro can't deal much damage to normally. An offensive Trick Room set is an option on Trick Room teams or as an anti-offense option. Colbur Berry is useful versus Dark-types like Bisharp, Weavile, and Dark Pulse Greninja, allowing Slowbro to hit them back hard with Fire Blast or attempt to cripple them with Scald or Thunder Wave. Iron Defense can be used on the Calm Mind set to make Slowbro even more impenetrable than usual, but it struggles to fit it around its other moves.
Checks and Counters
========
**Electric- and Grass-types**: Both Tapu Koko and Mega Manectric outpace and OHKO unboosted Slowbro with STAB Thunderbolt. Magnezone is also faster and OHKOes Slowbro with Thunderbolt, but it needs to be careful of switching into Fire Blast. Mega Venusaur and Tangrowth both hit Slowbro super effectively on its lower Special Defense with STAB Giga Drain, although the latter needs to be careful of Fire Blast and neither can break through after a Calm Mind. Tapu Bulu deals heavy damage with Horn Leech or Wood Hammer, but it doesn't enjoy being burned by Scald and needs to be careful of Fire Blast. Ferrothorn pressures non-Fire Blast Slowbro with Leech Seed and Power Whip and can set up Spikes on it, although Slowbro can shrug it off decently after burning it and potentially Mega Evolving.
**Ghost- and Dark-types**: Gengar threatens to OHKO unboosted Slowbro with Shadow Ball, but it can't switch into Psychic or Psyshock and still takes a lot of damage from Scald. Alolan Marowak nails Slowbro with Shadow Bone, although it doesn't enjoy switching into Scald. Mimikyu can set up on Slowbro thanks to Disguise and then deal heavy damage with Shadow Claw. Ash-Greninja cripples Slowbro with Dark Pulse. Leftovers Slowbro has difficulty dealing with Bisharp and Weavile, which are faster and strike it with powerful Knock Offs, but neither can switch into Fire Blast and both need to be wary of Scald burns. Choice Band Tyranitar can 2HKO either variant with Crunch, although it doesn't enjoy eating Scalds. Hoopa-U has gargantuan special bulk and deals huge damage with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury; granted, physical variants fear Scald burns.
**Special Attackers**: Slowbro has a low Special Defense stat, meaning that it can be immensely pressured by strong, neutral special attacks like Latios's Draco Meteor and Magearna's Fleur Cannon.
**Super Effective Coverage**: Alakazam can nail Slowbro with Shadow Ball. Manaphy sets up in Slowbro's face and breaks through it with Energy Ball. Volcarona doesn't appreciate Scald before setting up Quiver Dances, but it can hit Slowbro hard with Giga Drain. Mega Charizard Y summons sun and nails Slowbro with Solar Beam. Heatran traps Slowbro with Magma Storm and can OHKO it with Bloom Doom. Mamoswine can deal heavy damage with Freeze-Dry.
**Status**: Slowbro is very susceptible to status because it forces it to use Slack Off more than it wants to, preventing it from setting up Calm Minds to sweep. This means that it can't afford to take moves like Toxic and can be very easily pressured if poisoned by Gunk Shot or Sludge Bomb. Toxic Spikes also put pressure onto Slowbro's team because they need to be cleared before Slowbro can come in safely.
[OVERVIEW]
* Checks/counters a large number of common and dangerous Pokemon, such as Mega Medicham, Keldeo, Zygarde, and non-Dark Pulse Gren
* Decent wincon w/ CM
* Good utility between its bulk, Scald, and TWave
* Regen gives it solid longevity before it needs to mega, and after it megas Shell Armour helps setting up by giving it a crit immunity
* Struggles w/ a lot of meta trends, namely Ash Greninja and Tapu Koko's omnipresence
* Highly susceptible to status, namely Toxic
* Pathetic speed stat can be crippling at times
* Hard to justify as a bulky water over stuff like Toxapex, Fini etc. who fare better vs. Ash Gren and have better mixed bulk
[SET]
name: Mega Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Slack Off
item: Slowbronite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald to spread burns; strongest move on set
* Ice Beam nails Zygarde+Chomp, OHKOs Lando-T, hits Lati@s etc.
* Fire Blast prevents Ferro Spiking in Bro's face, is strongest move vs. Tang (although AV still eats ez) etc.
* Slack Off allows Slowbro to check stuff like Mega Medicham consistently throughout the match
* Psychic nails Keldeo and Toxapex+hits Amoong/Gengar harder than anything else etc.
* Toxic is nice to wear stuff down, most notably taking advantage of AV Tang SIs to pressure them throughout the match rather than on one switch, as well as opposing Water-types.
Set Details
========
* Max HP; hits Defense jump point; rest in SpD check shit like Keld better.
* More SpA investment can also be run, but this comes at the cost of consistency when checking Pokemon like Keldeo and Mega Medicham
* 44 Spe can be used alongside Psychic to outrun Pex
* Regen allows Bro to pivot around pre-mega and to heal off damage in the process.
* Slowbronite allows it to MEvo into MSlowbro, which gives it a nice SpA buff whilst improving Slowbro's ability to take on Pokemon like Mega Medicham and Mega Mawile.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Slowbro to pivot into or through Pokemon which it checks, such as Greninja, Zygarde, and Keldeo
* Do not mega evolve until you no longer need Regenerator or unless forced to in order to check something on your opponent's team
* Ensure Slowbro is always healthy enough to check what it needs to check at all times
* Be wary of dangerous Pokemon like Ash-Greninja which fear little from Slowbro
* Try to bring in on physical attackers rather than special attackers. If bringing in on spec attackers, try to do so on resisted hits.
Team Options
========
* Secondary Regen users like Tang/Amoong
* Grasses like the aforementioned and Ferro to help w/ Elecs and Grasses; same w/ Grounds like Lando-T+Zyggy+Chomp+whatever else. Also LRod AWak for its Electric-type immunity
* Pokemon that can clear hazards such as Mew, Lati@s, Skarm etc. clear AIDS hazards
* Poison-types like Gengar and Nido and Amoong absorb TSpikes
* Tran has sweet defensive synergy due to resisting grass and appreciating waters barring ash gren and fightings which don't have retardedly strong special moves like specs keld's focus blast being checked. Oh also it's immune to all damaging status so it can absorb that nicely
* Status absorbers like Clef absorb status that Bro hates
* Ferro and Bulu and Clef and Tran and other stuff which gets fingered by Steel- or Fighting-types
* Wallbreakers which make up for bro's kinda iffy firepower, for example Specs Gengar and Specs Latios and Gren and other shit.
* Spikes from Ferro or Ash Gren are nice 'cause lol Spikes are broken and also it helps Slowbro take advantage of switches it forces and to put stuff into range of its kinda weak attacks.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Scald
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Psyshock / Ice Beam
move 4: Calm Mind
item: Slowbronite / Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald for burn rate+solid power
* Slack Off gives Slowbro longevity after megaing and allows it to sit in front of stuff w/o needing to switch for healing
* Psyshock nails Keldeo and helps win CM wars vs. Clefable
* Ice Beam hits Zygarde and Tang and Lati@s and OHKOs Chomp and Lando w/o a boost
* CM allows Slowbro to act as a wincon
* The set can be used more as a defensive utility Pokemon with TWave; decent speed control option; cripples stuff like Greninja which like to switch in on Slowbro
* Fire Blast can be used over listed attacks OHKO Ferro (stopping it setting up Spikes on Slowbro; stops it Seeding in its face) whilst still hitting Tang (has ability for mega to 2HKO AV at +1 over Ice Beam), but Ferro hates burn anyway and can't rlly break MegaBro outside of being a bit of a bastard w/ Seeds/Spikes.
Set Details
========
* EVs hit the last defense jump point in both formes; HP is maximised and the rest is dumped into SpD to take random hits better, such as avoiding the 2HKO from Specs Keld Hydro
* If Lefties, 28 SpD is also an option for a little more phys bulk whilst still taking Specs Keld's Hydro after SR; 68 SpD allows you to Slack Off all the damage from Rotom-W's Volt Switch after Lefties recovery at +0.
* If Slowbronite, 80 SpD lives 2 Specs Keld Hydros after Rocks; 108 SpD lives LO Latios Draco from full; 124 SpD allows you to Slack Off all the damage from Rotom-W's Volt Switch at +0.
* 44 Spe can be used alongside Psyshock to outrun Toxapex, denting it before it can Haze.
* Slowbronite is preferred 'cause MegaBro is more consistent at walling major threats
* Lefties can be used alongside another mega
* More SpD can be run too; I'll calc spreads tomorrow I'm lazy
Usage Tips
========
* Use Slowbro to pivot into or through the things it checks such as Gren and Zyggy, and do not mega evolve until you no longer need Regenerator
* Do not try to sweep with Calm Mind until all threats to Slowbro have been eliminated; that said, it can be used to take hits from things to attempt to get a Scald burn or whatever if you are still able to Regen damage off, which can be situationally useful.
* Set up the first Calm Mind versus Pokemon which can't touch it, such as Lando-T and non-TPunch Mega Medicham (although outside of ETerrain Mega can do so vs. this very slowly).
Team Options
========
* Secondary Regen 'mons like Tang, Amoong, and Torn-T form Regen cores with Slowbro
* Ground- and/or Grass-types like Lando-T, Zygarde, Ferrothorn, and Tang are useful for easing the matchup vs. Electric- and Grass-types which give Slowbro a headache, respectively, as can LRod AWak
* Pokemon which can take on Ash Gren, such as AV Tangrowth, as well as those which beat other Dark-types like Bisharp and Weavile for Lefites Bro, such as Clefable and Keldeo (this also checks Ash Gren) have good type synergy with Slowbro.
* Pokemon which can trap and eliminate Gengar, such as Weavile and Pursuit Dugtrio, make for really nice partners 'cause FUCK Gengar. Similarly, answers to AWak such as Lando, Tyranitar, and the aforementioned Pursuit Duggy make for good partners.
* Spikes makes Ferro a good partner 'cause Spikes balance is dope and it helps wear stuff down to a point where CM can minimise required setup to sweep.
* Pokemon which appreciate Fighting- and Steel-types like Mega Medicham, Bisharp, and Keldeo being kept in check, such as Clefable (Steels), Ferrothorn (Fighting), Tapu Bulu (Steel), and Heatran (Fighting) appreciate Slowbro, although pairing it with a method of punishing U-turn is worth considering Slowbro doesn't check Zor as well as it could.
* Status absorbers like Clefable and Heatran make for excellent partners 'cause Slowbro hates status.
* Magnezone traps Ferrothorn, which is useful 'cause variants which lack Fire Blast have a hard time vs. it.
* Powerful wallbreakers like Specs Gengar are nice for making up for Slowbro's passiveness.
* Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Gengar and Defog or Rapid Spin users such as Mega Scizor, Excadrill, and Skarmory are useful for their ability to clear Toxic Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
========
* OTR 'cause anti offense = £££££ in this meta. Also can be used on TR teams
* Colbur messes w/ Darks; nice for eating KOffs if not mega and also allows to TWave Dark Pulse Gren w/o catching it on switch.
* Iron Defense can make MegaBro near unbreakable if not accounted for
Checks and Counters
========
**Electric- and Grass-types**: Tapu Koko, Thundurus, and Thundurus-T all outpace and OHKO unboosted Slowbro with STAB Thunderbolt. Magnezone is also faster and OHKOs with Thunderbolt, but it needs to be careful of switching into Fire Blast. Mega Venusaur and Tangrowth both hit Slowbro super effectively on its lower defensive side with STAB Giga Drain, although the latter needs to be careful of Fire Blast and neither can break through after a Calm Mind. Tapu Bulu deals heavy damage with Horn Leech or Wood Hammer, but it doesn't enjoy being burned by Scald and needs to be careful of Fire Blast. Ferrothorn pressures non-Fire Blast Slowbro between Leech Seed and Power Whip, although Slowbro can shrug it off decently after burning it and potentially mega evolving.
**Ghost- and Dark-types**: Gengar threatens to OHKO unboosted Slowbro with Shadow Ball, but it can't switch into Psychic or Psyshock whilst still taking heavy damage from Scald. Alolan Marowak nails Slowbro with Shadow Bone, although it doesn't enjoy switching into Scald. Mimikyu can boost on Slowbro with Disguise and then deals heavy damage with Shadow Claw. Ash Greninja nails Slowbro for heavy damage with Dark Pulse. Leftovers Slowbro has difficulty dealing with Bisharp and Weavile, who are faster and nail it with powerful Knock Offs, but neither can switch into Fire Blast and both need to be wary of Scald burns. Tyranitar's Choice Band Crunch can't be Slacked Off by either variant, although it doesn't enjoy eating Scalds. Hoopa-U has gargantuan special bulk and deals huge damage with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury, granted physical variants need to fear Scald burns.
**Special attackers**: Slowbro has a low Special Defense stat, meaning that it can be easily taken advantage of by strong, neutral special attacks like Latios's Draco Meteor and Magearna's Fleur Cannon put it under immense pressure.
**Super effective Coverage**: Alakazam can nail Slowbro with Shadow Ball. Manaphy sets up in Slowbro's face and nails it with Energy Ball. Volcarona doesn't appreciate Scald before setting up Quiver Dances, but it deals heavy damage with Giga Drain. Mega Charizard Y summons sun and nails Slowbro with Solar Beam. Heatran traps Slowbro with Magma Storm and can OHKO it with Bloom Doom. Mamoswine can deal heavy damage with Freeze Dry.
**Status**: Slowbro is very susceptible to status because it pressures it to use Slack Off more than it wants to and pressures it when setting up Calm Minds to sweep. This means that it can't afford to take moves like Toxic and can be very easily pressured if poisoned by Gunk Shot or Sludge Bomb. Toxic Spikes also put pressure onto Slowbro's team because it means they need to be cleared before Slowbro can come in safely due to the aforementioned susceptibility.
* Checks/counters a large number of common and dangerous Pokemon, such as Mega Medicham, Keldeo, Zygarde, and non-Dark Pulse Gren
* Decent wincon w/ CM
* Good utility between its bulk, Scald, and TWave
* Regen gives it solid longevity before it needs to mega, and after it megas Shell Armour helps setting up by giving it a crit immunity
* Struggles w/ a lot of meta trends, namely Ash Greninja and Tapu Koko's omnipresence
* Highly susceptible to status, namely Toxic
* Pathetic speed stat can be crippling at times
* Hard to justify as a bulky water over stuff like Toxapex, Fini etc. who fare better vs. Ash Gren and have better mixed bulk
[SET]
name: Mega Tank
move 1: Scald
move 2: Ice Beam
move 3: Fire Blast
move 4: Slack Off
item: Slowbronite
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald to spread burns; strongest move on set
* Ice Beam nails Zygarde+Chomp, OHKOs Lando-T, hits Lati@s etc.
* Fire Blast prevents Ferro Spiking in Bro's face, is strongest move vs. Tang (although AV still eats ez) etc.
* Slack Off allows Slowbro to check stuff like Mega Medicham consistently throughout the match
* Psychic nails Keldeo and Toxapex+hits Amoong/Gengar harder than anything else etc.
* Toxic is nice to wear stuff down, most notably taking advantage of AV Tang SIs to pressure them throughout the match rather than on one switch, as well as opposing Water-types.
Set Details
========
* Max HP; hits Defense jump point; rest in SpD check shit like Keld better.
* More SpA investment can also be run, but this comes at the cost of consistency when checking Pokemon like Keldeo and Mega Medicham
* 44 Spe can be used alongside Psychic to outrun Pex
* Regen allows Bro to pivot around pre-mega and to heal off damage in the process.
* Slowbronite allows it to MEvo into MSlowbro, which gives it a nice SpA buff whilst improving Slowbro's ability to take on Pokemon like Mega Medicham and Mega Mawile.
Usage Tips
========
* Use Slowbro to pivot into or through Pokemon which it checks, such as Greninja, Zygarde, and Keldeo
* Do not mega evolve until you no longer need Regenerator or unless forced to in order to check something on your opponent's team
* Ensure Slowbro is always healthy enough to check what it needs to check at all times
* Be wary of dangerous Pokemon like Ash-Greninja which fear little from Slowbro
* Try to bring in on physical attackers rather than special attackers. If bringing in on spec attackers, try to do so on resisted hits.
Team Options
========
* Secondary Regen users like Tang/Amoong
* Grasses like the aforementioned and Ferro to help w/ Elecs and Grasses; same w/ Grounds like Lando-T+Zyggy+Chomp+whatever else. Also LRod AWak for its Electric-type immunity
* Pokemon that can clear hazards such as Mew, Lati@s, Skarm etc. clear AIDS hazards
* Poison-types like Gengar and Nido and Amoong absorb TSpikes
* Tran has sweet defensive synergy due to resisting grass and appreciating waters barring ash gren and fightings which don't have retardedly strong special moves like specs keld's focus blast being checked. Oh also it's immune to all damaging status so it can absorb that nicely
* Status absorbers like Clef absorb status that Bro hates
* Ferro and Bulu and Clef and Tran and other stuff which gets fingered by Steel- or Fighting-types
* Wallbreakers which make up for bro's kinda iffy firepower, for example Specs Gengar and Specs Latios and Gren and other shit.
* Spikes from Ferro or Ash Gren are nice 'cause lol Spikes are broken and also it helps Slowbro take advantage of switches it forces and to put stuff into range of its kinda weak attacks.
[SET]
name: Calm Mind
move 1: Scald
move 2: Slack Off
move 3: Psyshock / Ice Beam
move 4: Calm Mind
item: Slowbronite / Leftovers
ability: Regenerator
nature: Bold
evs: 252 HP / 216 Def / 40 SpD
[SET COMMENTS]
Moves
========
* Scald for burn rate+solid power
* Slack Off gives Slowbro longevity after megaing and allows it to sit in front of stuff w/o needing to switch for healing
* Psyshock nails Keldeo and helps win CM wars vs. Clefable
* Ice Beam hits Zygarde and Tang and Lati@s and OHKOs Chomp and Lando w/o a boost
* CM allows Slowbro to act as a wincon
* The set can be used more as a defensive utility Pokemon with TWave; decent speed control option; cripples stuff like Greninja which like to switch in on Slowbro
* Fire Blast can be used over listed attacks OHKO Ferro (stopping it setting up Spikes on Slowbro; stops it Seeding in its face) whilst still hitting Tang (has ability for mega to 2HKO AV at +1 over Ice Beam), but Ferro hates burn anyway and can't rlly break MegaBro outside of being a bit of a bastard w/ Seeds/Spikes.
Set Details
========
* EVs hit the last defense jump point in both formes; HP is maximised and the rest is dumped into SpD to take random hits better, such as avoiding the 2HKO from Specs Keld Hydro
* If Lefties, 28 SpD is also an option for a little more phys bulk whilst still taking Specs Keld's Hydro after SR; 68 SpD allows you to Slack Off all the damage from Rotom-W's Volt Switch after Lefties recovery at +0.
* If Slowbronite, 80 SpD lives 2 Specs Keld Hydros after Rocks; 108 SpD lives LO Latios Draco from full; 124 SpD allows you to Slack Off all the damage from Rotom-W's Volt Switch at +0.
* 44 Spe can be used alongside Psyshock to outrun Toxapex, denting it before it can Haze.
* Slowbronite is preferred 'cause MegaBro is more consistent at walling major threats
* Lefties can be used alongside another mega
* More SpD can be run too; I'll calc spreads tomorrow I'm lazy
Usage Tips
========
* Use Slowbro to pivot into or through the things it checks such as Gren and Zyggy, and do not mega evolve until you no longer need Regenerator
* Do not try to sweep with Calm Mind until all threats to Slowbro have been eliminated; that said, it can be used to take hits from things to attempt to get a Scald burn or whatever if you are still able to Regen damage off, which can be situationally useful.
* Set up the first Calm Mind versus Pokemon which can't touch it, such as Lando-T and non-TPunch Mega Medicham (although outside of ETerrain Mega can do so vs. this very slowly).
Team Options
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* Secondary Regen 'mons like Tang, Amoong, and Torn-T form Regen cores with Slowbro
* Ground- and/or Grass-types like Lando-T, Zygarde, Ferrothorn, and Tang are useful for easing the matchup vs. Electric- and Grass-types which give Slowbro a headache, respectively, as can LRod AWak
* Pokemon which can take on Ash Gren, such as AV Tangrowth, as well as those which beat other Dark-types like Bisharp and Weavile for Lefites Bro, such as Clefable and Keldeo (this also checks Ash Gren) have good type synergy with Slowbro.
* Pokemon which can trap and eliminate Gengar, such as Weavile and Pursuit Dugtrio, make for really nice partners 'cause FUCK Gengar. Similarly, answers to AWak such as Lando, Tyranitar, and the aforementioned Pursuit Duggy make for good partners.
* Spikes makes Ferro a good partner 'cause Spikes balance is dope and it helps wear stuff down to a point where CM can minimise required setup to sweep.
* Pokemon which appreciate Fighting- and Steel-types like Mega Medicham, Bisharp, and Keldeo being kept in check, such as Clefable (Steels), Ferrothorn (Fighting), Tapu Bulu (Steel), and Heatran (Fighting) appreciate Slowbro, although pairing it with a method of punishing U-turn is worth considering Slowbro doesn't check Zor as well as it could.
* Status absorbers like Clefable and Heatran make for excellent partners 'cause Slowbro hates status.
* Magnezone traps Ferrothorn, which is useful 'cause variants which lack Fire Blast have a hard time vs. it.
* Powerful wallbreakers like Specs Gengar are nice for making up for Slowbro's passiveness.
* Poison-types such as Amoonguss and Gengar and Defog or Rapid Spin users such as Mega Scizor, Excadrill, and Skarmory are useful for their ability to clear Toxic Spikes.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
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* OTR 'cause anti offense = £££££ in this meta. Also can be used on TR teams
* Colbur messes w/ Darks; nice for eating KOffs if not mega and also allows to TWave Dark Pulse Gren w/o catching it on switch.
* Iron Defense can make MegaBro near unbreakable if not accounted for
Checks and Counters
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**Electric- and Grass-types**: Tapu Koko, Thundurus, and Thundurus-T all outpace and OHKO unboosted Slowbro with STAB Thunderbolt. Magnezone is also faster and OHKOs with Thunderbolt, but it needs to be careful of switching into Fire Blast. Mega Venusaur and Tangrowth both hit Slowbro super effectively on its lower defensive side with STAB Giga Drain, although the latter needs to be careful of Fire Blast and neither can break through after a Calm Mind. Tapu Bulu deals heavy damage with Horn Leech or Wood Hammer, but it doesn't enjoy being burned by Scald and needs to be careful of Fire Blast. Ferrothorn pressures non-Fire Blast Slowbro between Leech Seed and Power Whip, although Slowbro can shrug it off decently after burning it and potentially mega evolving.
**Ghost- and Dark-types**: Gengar threatens to OHKO unboosted Slowbro with Shadow Ball, but it can't switch into Psychic or Psyshock whilst still taking heavy damage from Scald. Alolan Marowak nails Slowbro with Shadow Bone, although it doesn't enjoy switching into Scald. Mimikyu can boost on Slowbro with Disguise and then deals heavy damage with Shadow Claw. Ash Greninja nails Slowbro for heavy damage with Dark Pulse. Leftovers Slowbro has difficulty dealing with Bisharp and Weavile, who are faster and nail it with powerful Knock Offs, but neither can switch into Fire Blast and both need to be wary of Scald burns. Tyranitar's Choice Band Crunch can't be Slacked Off by either variant, although it doesn't enjoy eating Scalds. Hoopa-U has gargantuan special bulk and deals huge damage with Dark Pulse or Hyperspace Fury, granted physical variants need to fear Scald burns.
**Special attackers**: Slowbro has a low Special Defense stat, meaning that it can be easily taken advantage of by strong, neutral special attacks like Latios's Draco Meteor and Magearna's Fleur Cannon put it under immense pressure.
**Super effective Coverage**: Alakazam can nail Slowbro with Shadow Ball. Manaphy sets up in Slowbro's face and nails it with Energy Ball. Volcarona doesn't appreciate Scald before setting up Quiver Dances, but it deals heavy damage with Giga Drain. Mega Charizard Y summons sun and nails Slowbro with Solar Beam. Heatran traps Slowbro with Magma Storm and can OHKO it with Bloom Doom. Mamoswine can deal heavy damage with Freeze Dry.
**Status**: Slowbro is very susceptible to status because it pressures it to use Slack Off more than it wants to and pressures it when setting up Calm Minds to sweep. This means that it can't afford to take moves like Toxic and can be very easily pressured if poisoned by Gunk Shot or Sludge Bomb. Toxic Spikes also put pressure onto Slowbro's team because it means they need to be cleared before Slowbro can come in safely due to the aforementioned susceptibility.
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